• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2017

This study examines how South Korean governments responded to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS) using the adaptive governance framework. As of November 24, 2015, the MERS outbreak in South Korea resulted in the quarantine of about 17,000 people, 186 cases confirmed, and a death of 38. Although the national government had overall responsibility for MERS response, there is no clear understanding of how the ministries, agencies, and subnational governments take an adaptive response to the public health crisis. The paper uses the adaptive governance framework to understand how South Korean governments respond to the unexpected event regarding the following aspects: responsiveness, public learning, scientific learning, and representativeness of the decision mechanisms. The framework helps understand how joint efforts of the national and subnational governments were coordinated to the unexpected conditions. The study highlights the importance of adaptive governance for an effective response to a public-health related extreme event.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5217-5221
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• 2016

Objective: A study of primary cancer morbidity among children and subsequent calculation of average annual incidence were carried out for boys and girls, and young men and women in Kazakhstan. Methods: The investigated population lived in three areas of the Aral Sea region: designated catastrophe (Aral, Kazalt, Shalkar regions), crisis (Zhalagash, Karmakshy, Shiely regions), pre-crisis (Irgiz, Arys, Ulytau regions). Zhanaarka region of Karaganda oblast was applied as a control. Parameters were retrospective analyzed for the 10 years from 2004 to 2013. Result: The results indicate that indices of children cancer morbidity were slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control district, but they were comparable with similar data from studies in other regions. In all areas of the Aral Sea region, except for Ulytau, primary cancer morbidity exceeded the control level by 1.3-2.7 times (4.7%000). Hematological malignancies, including solid tumors - tumors of musculoskeletal system and skin, digestive system, brain and central nervous system predominated. Stress levels in zones of the Aral Sea region were slightly higher in the crisis zone than in the catastrophe zone that can be explained by the phenomenon of wave-like dynamics of disease growth risk. Gender differences in characteristics of malignancy formation were not more pronounced in the studied region. Conclusion: Indices of children cancer are slightly higher in the Aral Sea region than in the control area of Kazakhstan, but they are comparable to results for other regions.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.331-341
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• 2019

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the effects of health expenditure on income inequality on household income after the financial crisis by using the household income survey form 1996 to 2016. The main results are as follows. First, after the financial crisis, the gross income inequality of households has been changing steadily, though there has been a slight change in each year. Second, high-income earners spend more on health care expenditure by income level. Therefore, unequal levels are maintained. Third, the Gini coefficient of income excluding health care expenditure was calculated. The results of the analysis are larger than the Gini coefficient of total income. Income inequality is intensified by the expenditure of health care expenditure of households. The inequality of household income due to health care expenditure has been increasing steadily since the financial crisis. Efforts such as strengthening the protection of health insurance have been continuously carried out for the purpose of reducing the burden of the national medical expenses. However, it does not contribute to resolving income inequality. In the future, it will be necessary to provide a more selective medical support system to reduce the medical expenditure of the low income class.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.17 no.2 s.94
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• pp.41-44
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• 1978

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 1974

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-46
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the degree of preparation for old age and the sense of crisis on the marital satisfaction of married mid-life women. The participants in this study were 300 women ranging in age from 40 to 59 years residing in Gyeonggi-do. Two hundred and forty-nine self-reported questionnaires were used for final analysis by SPSS PASW 18.0. The major results of this study were as follows. First, the mean score on the sense of crisis scale was $2.56{\pm}0.65$, representing a medium level. The mean scores for degree of preparation for later life and marital satisfaction were $3.54{\pm}0.57$ and $3.67{\pm}0.88$, which were somewhat high. Second, socio-demographic characteristics have a significant influence on married, middle-aged women. There were primarily differences in the sense of crisis by age cohort(such as women in their 50s) and level of education. Moreover, there were differences in the degree of preparation for later life by marriage duration and differences in marital satisfaction by level of education, monthly average income, and employment status. Third, in multiple regression analysis, the variables significantly influencing the marital satisfaction of married, middle-aged women included health status and monthly average income as control variables. Mid-life crisis also had a significant effect. The degree of preparation for emotional later life had a significant effect as an independent variable. These findings suggest that the level of sense of crisis and the degree of preparation for emotional later life affected the women's marital satisfaction. Other factors did not have a significant affect. Based on the above results, intervention alternatives are needed to improve the marital satisfaction of married, middle-aged women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.359-365
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• 2005

Objectives : An abrupt economic decline may widen the socioeconomic differences in health between the advantaged and disadvantaged in a society. The aim of this study was to examine whether the South Korean economic crisis of 1997-98 affected the socioeconomic inequality from all-causes and from cause-specific mortality between 1995 and 2001. Methods : Population denominators were obtained from the registration population data, with the number of death (numerators) calculated from raw death certificate data. The indicator used to assess the geographic socioeconomic position was the per capita regional tax revenue. Administrative districts (Si-Gun-Gu) were ranked according to this socioeconomic measure, and divided into equal population size quintiles on the basis of this ranking. The sex- and 5-year age-specific numbers of the population and deaths were used to compute the sex- and age-adjusted mortality rates (via direct standardization method), standardized mortality ratios (via indirect standardization methods) and relative indices of inequality (RII) (via Poisson regression). Results : Geographic inequalities from all-causes of mortality, as measured by RII, did not increase as a result of the economic crisis (from 1998-2001). This was true for both sexes and all age groups. However, the cause-specific analyses showed that socioeconomic inequalities in mortalities from external causes were affected by South Korean economic crisis. For males, the RIIs for mortalities from transport accidents and intentional self-harm increased between 1995 and 2001. For females, the RII for mortality from intentional self-harm increased during the same period. Conclusions : The South Korean economic crisis widened the geographic inequality in mortalities from major external causes. This increased inequality requires social discourse and counter policies with respect to the rising health inequalities in the South Korean society.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of those who take care of the elderly at a long-term care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Colaizzi's phenomenological research method was applied to describe the meaning and nature of the experiences of eight workers in an elderly care facility during the COVID-19 crisis. Results: Studies have shown that these workers experienced 'fear from infectious disease' and had the opportunity to 'reflect upon life changed by infectious disease.' They also worked together to overcome the crisis by 'protect nursing home with the nurses at COVID-19 sites' and felt 'safety from the nursing home,' and experienced 'a strong sense of calling for the job' through the crisis. Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind conducted in Korea on workers in an elderly care facility. The results indicate that it is necessary to supports these workers with practical useful education, counseling, and emotional support during the epidemic.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-196
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• 2022

From several socioeconomic perspectives, the present health crisis can be connected to the 2008 financial and economic catastrophe. Governments worldwide are working hard to keep the markets in check, as evidence suggests that the health crisis may soon become an economic crisis. This paper aims to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on the selected stock market. Using a panel of daily COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths and the stock market from 22 developing countries, we exploit an oil price as a shock to the stock market and examine the effect of COVID-19 on the slowdown of the stock market. We find a negative and significant impact of COVID-19 on the stock market in the first stage till April. However, there is no net influence on the stock market downturn when we extend the period. However, further study suggests that the outbreak's negative influence on the selected stock market has diminished and has begun to decline as of mid-April. As a result of the COVID-19 effect on the chosen stock, our findings imply that the government in the chosen market should consider a regulatory mechanism to reduce the stock market slowdown induced by the pandemic COVID-19.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.18-38
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• 2023

This paper examines the Chinese government's response to four epidemic crises, including COVID-19, and analyzes the similarities and differences in these responses. It argues that while the Chinese government learned from previous epidemics and improved its handling of subsequent outbreaks, a significant variation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a detrimental impact globally. Existing scholarly research on China's epidemic responses has often been limited in scope, focusing on individual crises and neglecting the central-local government relationship in crisis decision-making. By adopting a comprehensive approach, this paper delves into the nuanced dynamics of China's responses to these epidemics. It highlights the variations in responses, attributing them to the Chinese government's fear of undermined legitimacy and its consideration of its international image. The government's recognition of the importance of public perception and trust, both domestically and globally, has shaped its crisis management strategies. Through a detailed analysis of these factors, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the variations observed in China's epidemic responses. It emphasizes the significance of the central-local government relationship and the government's international image in determining its actions during epidemics. Recognizing these factors can provide policymakers and researchers with insights to shape future epidemic response strategies and foster effective global health governance.