• The Journal of Health Technology Assessment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2018

With the recent change of healthcare environment including rapid technological development, evidences are more and more important and necessary to support relevant policies in health technology assessment to provide safe and effective health services, utilizing medical resources efficiently. Despite of the emphasis on the importance of real world data and real world evidence in health care research, current infrastructure supporting clinical research is considerably weak due to absence of legal and institutional basis. However, in accordance with the Article 26 of the Health and Medical Technology Promotion Act, there is a limited legal apparatus that can be used only in public data with other dataset for the purpose of healthcare technology assessment at the National Evidence-based Collaborating Agency. Although the use of linked data from various sources was often required in the field of clinical research, it was not yet working well due to insufficient environmental conditions. In order to support the decision-making of medical practice and health care policies, data-linking platform for clinical research is needed. If the legal system that can link up to the data of the private institutions without violating the significant value such as the protection of private informations is established, it will be a decisive foundation reinforcing the researches and policy making processes for the improvement of the national health care system.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors affecting the mental health status of children from multicultural families in South Korea. Methods: This study was based on Dahlgren and Whitehead's (1991) rainbow model as a conceptual framework and used data from the second phase of the multicultural adolescents panel study conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0, with p<.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: In the final model, stress (odds ratio [OR]=0.53, p<.001), life satisfaction (OR=2.09, p=.004), self-esteem (OR=1.73, p=.032), and peer support (OR=1.46, p=.019) affected the mental health status of children from multicultural families. The living and working conditions and general socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions did not significantly influence the mental health status of children from multicultural families in the final model. Conclusion: As components of Dahlgren and Whitehead's model, individual hereditary and lifestyle factors, as well as social and community networks, affected the mental health status of children from multicultural families. Therefore, in order to improve the mental health of children from multicultural families, efforts are needed to alleviate their stress, increase life satisfaction and self-esteem, and strengthen their social support.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.486-495
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• 2021

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Previous studies in South Korea have applied a relative risk calculated from Western populations when estimating the disease burden attributable to PM. However, the relative risk of PM on health outcomes may not be the same across different countries or regions. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the premature deaths and socioeconomic costs attributable to long-term exposure to PM in South Korea. We considered not only the difference in PM concentration between regions, but also the difference in relative risk. Methods: National monitoring data of PM concentrations was obtained, and missing values were imputed using the AERMOD model and linear regression model. As a surrogate for relative risk, hazard ratios (HRs) of PM for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality were estimated using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. The nation was divided into five areas (metropolitan, central, southern, south-eastern, and Gangwon-do Province regions). The number of PM attributable deaths in 2018 was calculated at the district level. The socioeconomic cost was derived by multiplying the number of deaths and the statistical value of life. Results: The average PM₁₀ concentration for 2014~2018 was 45.2 ㎍/m³. The association between long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and mortality was heterogeneous between areas. When applying area-specific HRs, 23,811 premature deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease in 2018 were attributable to PM₁₀ (reference level 20 ㎍/m³). The corresponding socioeconomic cost was about 31 trillion won. These estimated values were higher than that when applying nationwide HRs. Conclusions: This study is the first research to estimate the premature mortality caused by long-term exposure to PM using relative risks derived from the national population. This study will help precisely identify the national and regional health burden attributed to PM and establish the priorities of air quality policy.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2012

Objectives: Bioaerosols released by treating organic-waste resources cause a variety of environmental and hygiene problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution characteristics of the airborne bacteria emitted from a pig manure composting plant, a principal site for organic-waste resource facilities. Methods: Three types of pig manure composting plant were selected based on fermentation mode: screw type, rotary type and natural-dry type. Each site was visited and investigated on a monthly basis between September 2009 and August 2010. A total of 36 air samplings were obtained from the pig manure composting plants. The air sampling equipment was a six-stage cascade impactor. Quantification and qualification of airborne bacteria in the air samples was performed by agar culture method and identification technique, respectively. Results: The mean concentrations of airborne bacteria in pig manure composting plant were 7,032 (${\pm}1,496$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for screw type, 3,309 (${\pm}1,320$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for rotary type, and 5,580 (${\pm}1,106$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for natural dry type. The screw type pig manure composting plant showed the highest concentration of airborne bacteria, followed by the natural dry type and the rotary type. The ratio of respirable to total airborne bacteria was approximately 40-60%. The predominant genera of airborne bacteria identified were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia spp. Conclusion: Monthly levels of airborne bacteria were highest in August and lowest in November regardless of fermentation mode. There was no significant correlation relationship between airborne bacteria and environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity and particulate matters in pig manure composting plants.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2015

Objectives: This study evaluated the regional and seasonal concentrations of ambient hazardous heavy metals in an industrial complex area in Daegu City. Methods: A total of 64 SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) samples were collected in non-industrial and industrial areas during 2014 and were analyzed for hazardous heavy metals elements (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb) with ICP after acid extraction. Results: SPM and hazardous heavy metals concentrations showed regional (industrial complex area>non-industrial complex area) and seasonal (spring, winter>fall, summer) variations. All of the hazardous heavy metals were influenced by anthropogenic sources. The pollution index of hazardous heavy metals was very low, showing roughly one-quarter of the level of the air quality guidelines of WHO. The correlation analysis among SPM and hazardous heavy metals indicated that components of non-industrial complex areas were more related to each other than those of industrial complex areas, and the correlation in the winter was higher than in other seasons. Conclusion: It is necessary to control air pollution sources and establish related policy because hazardous heavy metals from industrial areas can influence residential areas.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.555-564
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• 2020

Objectives: To identify and investigate through qualitative and quantitative analysis the hazardous substances generated when compressed wood was burned at a live fire-training center. Methods: Four types of compressed wood that are actually used in live fire training were burned in a chamber according to KS F2271. The gaseous material was sampled with a gas detector tube and conventional personal samplers. Results: 1,3-butadiene, benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and nitric acid were detected. In particular, 1,3-butadiene (497.04-680.44 ppm), benzene (97.79-125.02 ppm), formaldehyde (1.72-13.03 ppm), hydrogen chloride (4.71-15.66 ppm), hydrogen cyanide (3.64-8.57 ppm), and sulfuric acid (3.85-5.01 ppm) exceeded the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit as measured by sampling pump according to the type of compressed wood. Conclusions: We found through the chamber testing that firefighters could be exposed to toxic substances during live fire training. Therefore, firefighter protection is needed and more research is required in the field.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.159-166
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• 2014

Purpose: In spite of many Healthy Cities projects in Korea, there are few research about healthy urban planning. So we tried to use available recent models to a Healthy Cities project in a medium sized city in Gyeongnam province. Methods: Using mainly European Healthy Urban Planning Model and opinion leader survey, SWOT analysis, forum and discussion have been done to a city. Secondary city health indicator obtained from Ministry of Statistics. Results: There are strong need to develop health industry, green traffic and healthy living from survey using Healthy Cities policy direction of Korean Health Promotion Fund. Among the Healthy Urban Planning objectives, improvements of physical environments, prevention of accidents and crime, improvements of healthy esthetics rated highly. Although environmental pollution was problem local government push forward to the pilot healthy urban project as active healthy water-front development. Considering secondary healthy city indicators, change of external forces and internal capacity final task for healthy urban planning for Yangsan city were development of riverside physical education park and active living and anti-ageing environments etc. Conclusions: Comprehensive assessment and plan was possible through MAPP Model using European Healthy Urban Planning objectives to draw the direction of future urban planning for Healthy Cities Projects. Further research and formal introduction would be needed.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.264-276
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• 2015

Background: Healthy cities of Korea have engaged in various activities regarding the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership, and research activities on healthy cities is one of the important area. In the present context, due to the current policy to pursue Sustainable Development Goals locally and globally, it is essential to emphasize the importance of healthy city. Therefore, it is important to identify the research trend related to healthy city. The aim of this study was to find out research trend of healthy city studies from 1990 to 2014 by reviewing published papers and studies systematically. Based on the finding of the study, the necessary implications on future research directions of the healthy city are obtained. Methods: The area of this study is domestic journal (Korea), international journal, thesis, and research report focusing on healthy city from 1990 to 2014. The selection of data was performed using keyword is based on domestic and international database. The analysis criteria were divided into year of publication, type of study, subjects, study methods, and study area. Results: One hundred twenty papers were selected for the analysis. Papers related to the healthy city issue were published 4.8 times in an average in a year during that the period. However, the number of papers published increased dramatically in the recent 4 years. Of total, 28 papers (44.4%) focused on the healthy city policy and urban environmental improvement, 18 papers (28.6%) focused on health promotion, and the remaining were program centered. Most papers (71 out of 120) used quantitative study methods. Of total studies, studies have conducted in Jinju city (9), Wonju city (8), Changwon city (6), and Gangnam-gu (5), respectively, as a study area of healthy city. Conclusion: First, domestic healthy city researches has been gradually increasing every year, over the past 10 years which has heightened interest in healthy cities. Second, the expansion of the various areas of research is required in order to contribute to future sustainable healthy city. Third, in recent years, by taking advantage of a variety of research methods, conducting the qualitative and mixed method research is considered to be a desirable change.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

The Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment has been carried out regarding the ecological health of the streams by the Ministry of Environment (MOE), South Korea. However, the sources of impairment of the stream ecosystem and the interactions between the sources, stressors, and the responses of impaired streams have not been taken into consideration. The purpose of this study is to propose the establishment of diagnosis systems for the impaired stream ecosystem because of the need to incorporate the same in the making of the policy to enable the recovery and improvement of the health of the impaired streams or river ecosystem. First, we define the concept of a diagnosis of the impaired stream or river ecosystem through a literature review. Second, through case studies [e.g., US CADDIS (Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System), AUS. Eco Evidence, EU WFD (Water Framework Directive)], we try to develop the diagnosis system for the making of policy. In this study, the diagnosis system that is proposed consists of eight steps including the basic data collection, detecting or suspecting impairment, defining the impaired stream reach, identifying the biological impaired cases and listing the candidate causes, illustrating the interactive conceptual diagrams between stressors and responses, investigating the stressors-responses in the field, verifying causes and identifying the probable causes of the impaired cases, and summarizing and proposing the restoration of the streams. The results of this study will support and enable efficient decision-making for sustainable stream restoration and management based on the diagnosis of the probable causes for the impaired complex and the diverse stream ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.25-36
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• 2020

In recent urban policies, the importance of 'health' has increased significantly. In Korea, the deterioration of physical health due to environmental problems caused by rapid urbanization and the deterioration of mental health due to the disconnection of social relations in a competitive society are constantly occurring. this study aims to examine the effect of the satisfaction and safety recognition on pedestrian environment on the subjective health status focused on gender difference of the intermediating effect of social capital. I used 2018 Seoul Survey and employed Structural Equation Model multi-group analysis. According to the empirical analysis, in male groups, the satisfaction and safety recognition on the pedestrian environment affect social capital. Also, satisfaction and social capital affect subjective health status. On the other hand, in female group, perception of pedestrian environment affect social capital. In addition, satisfaction, safety recognition and social capital affect subjective health status. Therefore, interdisciplinary study in the field of health and urban policy and discriminatory policy for strategic urban policy for citizen's health is necessary.