• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.124-140
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined the changes in dietary habits, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and mental health problems in the regional areas of the Republic of Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to provide evidence of the status of regional health inequalities. Methods: This study analyzed Korean adults aged 19 or older who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey (n = 686,708) and Consumer Behavior Survey for Foods (n = 19,109) from 2018 to 2020. The participants were classified according to their residence area (Seoul metropolitan area, Metropolitan cities, Provinces); 2018-2019 were defined as before COVID-19, and 2020 as after COVID-19. The dietary behaviors, chronic diseases, and mental health problems were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Results: After COVID-19, the eating-out usage rate in the Seoul metropolitan area and Provinces decreased compared to before COVID-19 (P < 0.001), and when responding that they eat out, the frequency of eating out with household members in the Seoul metropolitan area increased (P = 0.024). The deliveries/takeout usage rate in the Provinces decreased after COVID-19 compared to before (P < 0.001). After COVID-19, the prevalence of obesity decreased in all regions (P < 0.001), and the prevalence of hypertension increased significantly in the Provinces (P = 0.015). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased continuously before and after COVID-19 in all regions (P < 0.002). High-risk subjective stress levels increased significantly in the Seoul metropolitan area (P < 0.001), and sleep duration significantly increased in all regions (P < 0.001). Major depressive disorder was reduced significantly in Metropolitan cities (P = 0.042) and Provinces (P < 0.001). Conclusions: After the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of chronic diseases and mental health problems showed regional differences along with changes in dietary habits. It is necessary to reflect the regional differences in dietary habits in future policies resolving regional health inequalities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Objectives: This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. Methods: The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). Results: The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.

• 의학교육논단
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.18-34
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to clarify the background of the controversial attempt to establish a new public medical school linked to compulsory service as a means of strengthening public healthcare in Korea, and to raise anticipated problems with possible solutions. In Korea, healthcare is predominantly provided by the private sector focused on medical care, rather than public healthcare, even under the national health insurance system. The government has been mainly in charge of public health and unmet medical services from a residual perspective, but health inequalities still exist. To resolve this issue, the government created the concept of public health and medical service (PHMS) from a universal perspective and tried to strengthen the infrastructure of public healthcare and to foster core PHMS doctors by establishing a new public medical school linked to compulsory service in medically vulnerable areas. This study investigated the reality and concept of the new public medical school planned by the government, and identified problems such as the possibility of obtaining accreditation and evaluation before its establishment, the side effects of dividing doctors' roles, the waste of huge amounts of resources, and insensitive policies. In conclusion, in order to resolve health inequalities in Korea, we need to train doctors through medical school education that strengthens the social responsibility of doctors along with strengthening public healthcare infrastructure, and to provide a better environment for doctors working in medically vulnerable areas through sophisticated policies.

• 사회복지연구
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.267-290
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• 2011

본 연구는 인구학적 특성, 사회경제적 특성, 건강위험행동, 가족관계 만족도가 우리나라 노인 인구 집단의 건강 수준 차이에 미치는 요인을 찾고자 한다. 본 연구를 위해 한국복지패널조사 3차 조사(2008년)의 65세 이상 가구를 추출하여 다중회귀분석을 이용하여 건강 수준 차이에 영향을 미치는 요인을 살펴보도록 한다. 분석결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 노인의 정신 건강 수준을 가늠하는 지표로서 우울감에 영향을 미치는 요인에 대해 보면, 교육 수준이 낮을수록, 소득이 적을수록, 음주를 하지 않을수록, 가족관계 만족도가 낮을수록 노인의 우울감이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 노인의 주관적 건강상태에 미치는 요인을 보면, 교육 수준이 낮을수록, 소득이 적을수록, 음주를 하지 않을수록, 가족관계 만족도가 낮을수록 주관적 건강상태가 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 또 가족관계 가운데서도 노인의 배우자와의 관계, 노인의 자녀와의 만족도는 우울감과 주관적 건강상태에 영향을 미쳤다. 이와 같은 결과를 바탕으로 다음과 같은 제언을 할 수 있다. 첫째, 건강 수준의 취약집단인 여성노인을 위한 특화된 정책이 필요하다. 둘째, 건강 수준이 낮은 저소득, 저학력 노인 집단의 건강 수준을 끌어올리기 위한 특화된 정책이 필요하다. 셋째, 노인들의 건강에 영향을 미치는 가정생활 만족도를 높이기 위한 새로운 접근이 요구된다.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.773-784
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• 2021

Objectives: This study presents the basic data necessary to explore the methods used of Korean dental hygienists to resolve oral health inequalities in Korea via reviewing the professionalization trend of American dental hygienists. Methods: The supervision levels of American dental hygienists, and system of dental therapists were analyzed using the data published by the relevant associations. Results: In America, dental hygienists help address oral health inequalities. However, due to limitations in the supervision levels and scope of practice of dental hygienists, the autonomy of dental hygienists was expanded, and mid-level practitioner were employed. The autonomy for dental hygiene practice was higher in public than in private in America. Some states have introduced dental therapists as mid-level practitioners. Their practice settings have limitations such as serving low-income, uninsured, and underserved patients or serving in a dental health professional shortage area. Conclusions: It is necessary to expand the autonomy of dental hygienists based on their profession. In particular, it is suggested that they start with the low-risk level practices. Further, it is necessary to introduce a dental hygiene specialist system specialized for fields with high social demands.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.21-32
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• 2018

Purpose: This study attempted to identify regional disparities of self-rated health among Korean wage workers and to investigate the influencing factors on them. Methods: The study subjects were 25,069 workers in 16 regions who were extracted from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). A multilevel analysis was conducted by building hierarchical data at individual and regional level. Results: In this study, 'financial autonomy rate' and 'current smoking rate' were identified as regional factors influencing the workers' self-rated health. When the socio-demographic and occupational factors of the workers were controlled, 'current smoking rate', a health policy factor, explained the regional disparity of workers' health status. Conclusion: We found that the health status of workers can be affected by the health behavior level of the whole population in their residential area. In order to improve the health status of working population and to alleviate their regional health inequalities, it is necessary to strengthen macro and structural level interventions.

• 보건의료산업학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.171-182
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to identify the effect of employment type on health-related quality of life. Methods : This study used data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data were analyzed with the ${\chi}^2$ test, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression. Results : There were significant statistical differences the health-related quality of life according to employment type. The health-related quality of life of temporary workers was lower than that of regular workers. The significant predictors of the health-related quality of life of regular workers were the subjective health status, stress, age, and education. The significant predictors of the health-related quality of life of temporary workers were the subjective health status, education, stress, sleeping time, and gender. Conclusions : These results suggest that employment type affects the health-related quality of life. The research on social policy is recommended to resolve health inequalities.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 2004년도 제56차 추계 학술대회 연제집
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• pp.62.2-63
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• 2004

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2002

Objective : To explore the relationship of social class and health behaviors with self-reported morbidity. Methods : The 1995 General Household Survey in Korea was used to investigate self-reported morbidity. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of social class and health behaviors with self-reported chronic disease and perceived general health. Results : For chronic disease and general perceived health, age adjusted odds ratios were higher for manual workers, lower-educated group as well as those in the lower income group; this held true for both men and women. Health behaviours had little effect or the relationship between social class and morbidity. The relationship between health behaviors and morbidity was very weak. The lower social class expressed higher levels of negative health behaviors, although this relationship appeared to be very weak in Korea. Conclusions : This study suggests that an understanding of health differentials that addresses the issue of social inequalities in Korea is required.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.171-176
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate difference in health status by social classes in Korea through second analysis the 1999 Social Statistic Survey raw data performed by National Statistic Office. Method: 52,100 subjects were 20-64 years old and students were excluded. Health status was measured self-rated health and disease prevalence past 2 weeks. Social classes were classified 5 categories by occupations and working status and 1 category by unemployment. Result: Unemployed people reported the worst self-rated health on average, the lower social classes, the worse self-rated health and higher disease prevalence. Health inequality still existed between social classes after adjusting sex, age, and education level. Conclusion: A certain strategy for improving unemployed people's health and people who are working in craft, simple manual labor, agriculture, fishery, and forestry.