• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30 no.sup
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• pp.3.1-3.11
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• 2015

Objectives This study presents the indicators and proxy variables for the quantitative assessment of green chemistry technologies and evaluates the relative importance of each assessment element by consulting experts from the fields of ecology, chemistry, safety, and public health. Methods The results collected were subjected to an analytic hierarchy process to obtain the weights of the indicators and the proxy variables. Results These weights may prove useful in avoiding having to resort to qualitative means in absence of weights between indicators when integrating the results of quantitative assessment by indicator. Conclusions This study points to the limitations of current quantitative assessment techniques for green chemistry technologies and seeks to present the future direction for quantitative assessment of green chemistry technologies.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.16.1-16.1
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• 2015

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.8-17
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• 2002

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.11.1-11.7
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• 2014

Objectives South Korea's air quality standards are insufficient in terms of establishing a procedure for their management. The current system lacks a proper decision-making process and prior evidence is not considered. The purpose of this study is to propose a measure for establishing atmospheric environmental standards in South Korea that will take into consideration the health of its residents. Methods In this paper, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of the US was examined in order to suggest ways, which consider health effects, to establish air quality standards in South Korea. Up-to-date research on the health effects of air pollution was then reviewed, and tools were proposed to utilize the key results. This was done in an effort to ensure the reliability of the standards with regard to public health. Results This study showed that scientific research on the health effects of air pollution and the methodology used in the research have contributed significantly to establishing air quality standards. However, as the standards are legally binding, the procedure should take into account the effects on other sectors. Realistically speaking, it is impossible to establish standards that protect an entire population from air pollution. Instead, it is necessary to find a balance between what should be done and what can be done. Conclusions Therefore, establishing air quality standards should be done as part of an evidence-based policy that identifies the health effects of air pollution and takes into consideration political, economic, and social contexts.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.255-260
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• 2021

Background: Korea National Health Checkup Programs are aimed at the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease in adults. To establish a countermeasure for this tendency, The current Korea National Health Checkup Programs have been providing Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) since 2009, thereby focusing on individual lifestyle correction. However, from 2018, the dyslipidemia screening exam cycle has been changed from 2 to 4 years. Methods: In this study, we try to investigate whether policy decisions are valid based on domestic reports that have influenced policy decisions. First, considering the epidemiology of the domestic cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, the change of the 4-year cycle is appropriate or not. Second, whether the research method that applies came to make policy decisions appropriate or not. Third, our study also investigates whether the direction of policy decision was suitable for the second comprehensive national examination plan. Results: The data that are used in the previous study were that of 10 years ago and there also was a problem in selecting the data, especially the use of one of the research methods to calculate the signal to noise ratio that was aimed at improving health had some problems. This is a research method that does not match with the aim itself. Conclusion: Changing the screening cycle for dyslipidemia does not match the recent trend of general screening to effectively prevent cardiovascular disease in improving individual lifestyles in the national health checkup plan. Studying the relationship with metabolic syndrome, which can be an intermediate stage of cardiovascular disease, could be a policy direction that is more suitable for the national health examination comprehensive plan.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.345-346
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• 2022

2022 was a time when the global healthcare system was challenged and has grown in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In addition, various issues accumulated in the process of quantitative growth have emerged in the Korean healthcare system. For instance, problems of sustainability in health insurance finances and removing bubbles from excessive medical utilization should be urgently resolved as tasks that occurred in the process of expanding the coverage of the health insurance system. The deficit of applicants for the pediatrician residency program suggests that expanding health insurance coverage alone has limitations in providing essential medical services. There is a need to incentivize doctors who provide essential medical care services. In 2023, we hope that efforts to enhance and internally reinforce the healthcare system will be concentrated.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.17-34
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• 2011

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to describe comprehensive health promotion policies for university students in Korea and to discuss the implications based on the socio-ecological approaches. Methods: A web-based search was performed to identify empirical programs and literature to develop health promotion policies and strategies in university settings. Results: Five domains for policy development are suggested for comprehensive health promotion policies in universities: evidence-based policy development; establishment of supportive policy through network and partnership; infrastructure of university; systems approach with education, environment, enforcement and policy tailored for universities; and sustainability for policy implementation. Conclusions: For healthy universities and students, government, community, health professionals, organizations and universities are all responsible as main agents for the five domains suggested in this study. Multi-level approaches with political, organizational and environmental changes should be sustained as an ongoing process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.196-198
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• 2003

A prospect of environmental health information system was proposed for managing residents health of industrial complex area, which might imply the health effects by environmental pollution. From reviewing other environmental or health information system and making case database for past research, the direction and approach plans suggested construction of database and its structure for surveillance of health effects from an environmental pollution by environmental epidemiology in Korea. Results showed future requirement for developed algorithm which supports decision maker in environmental health policy and administration process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examined the impact of a smoke-free policy on indoor air quality at indoor recreation facilities by assessing $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the implementation of the new policy. Methods: Using real-time monitors, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 50 billiard rooms and 50 golf simulator rooms in Seoul, Korea. The characteristics of the indoor recreation facilities, smoking status, and atmospheric conditions were recorded at the same time.After the enforcement of a smoke-free policy, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, installation of smoking room, and smoking status were examined when the facilities were revisited. Results: Almost a half of the billiard rooms and over 80% of golf simulator rooms were located underground. Seventy percent of the billiard rooms and one hundred percent of the golf simulator rooms were equipped with a local exhaust ventilation system. After the implementation of the smoke-free policy, 46% of the billiard rooms and 20% of the golf simulator rooms newly installed a smoking room. In the billiard rooms with a newly-installed smoking room, the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations decreased from 97.9 to $45.6{\mu}g/m^3$ after the implementation of the smoke-free policy. The same change of 29.0 to $ 26.3{\mu}g/m^3$ was not statistically significant in golf simulator rooms. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were correlated with outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, number of smokers, and number of people in the room. Conclusions: The smoke-free policy for indoor recreation facilities was not effective at making the indoor spaces free from second hand smoke. Although a few billiard rooms installed a smoking room, indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were still higher than those of outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ or atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$. Stricter enforcement of the smoke-free policy should be achieved to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to suggest future directions for the Korean Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) in terms of an environmental health monitoring system and recent environmental health issues in Korea. Methods: The national scale biomonitoring program and environmental health researches which conducted by Ministry of Environment was reviewed for this study. The scope, contents and utilization of results of KoNEHS as a biomonitoring program and other basic function for environmental health monitoring was analyzed. Results: Biomonitoring survey was conducted for basic functions, such as evaluating exposure levels of environmental chemicals and analyzing exposure factors. In order to expand the basic purposes of KoNEHS, the biomonitoring function should be strengthened by enlarging the range of chemicals analyzed and including all age groups in the biomonitoring and health status monitoring functions by using official health-care and mortality data. Exposure factors such as time-activity patterns and micro-environmental pollution levels were studied. The data from the environmental health study were established into a standardized database system for supporting environmental health policy. A definition and concept of environmental health services should be established. Conclusion: To achieve the aims of environmental health, changes in environmental health status and related factors must be observed and predicted reflecting real conditions. In this regard, improving the methodology and system through diverse approaches is necessary for KoNEHS.