• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.514-524
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• 2016

The Bio-Climatic impact Assessment System, BioCAS was utilized to produce analysis maps of daily maximum perceived temperature ($PT_{max}$) and excess mortality ($r_{EM}$) over the entire Seoul area on a heat wave event. The spatial resolution was 25 m and the Aug. 5, 2012 was the selected heat event date. The analyzed results were evaluated by comparing with observed health impact data - mortality and morbidity - during heat waves in 2004-2013 and 2006-2011,respectively. They were aggregated for 25 districts in Seoul. Spatial resolution of the comparison was equalized to district to match the lower data resolution of mortality and morbidity. Spatial maximum, minimum, average, and total of $PT_{max}$ and $r_{EM}$ were generated and correlated to the health impact data of mortality and morbidity. Correlation results show that the spatial averages of $PT_{max}$ and $r_{EM}$ were not able to explain the observed health impact. Instead, spatial minimum and maximum of $PT_{max}$ were correlated with mortality (r=0.53) and morbidity (r=0.42),respectively. Spatial maximum of $PT_{max}$, determined by building density, affected increasing morbidity at daytime by heat-related diseases such as sunstroke, whereas spatial minimum, determined by vegetation, affected decreasing mortality at nighttime by reducing heat stress. On the other hand, spatial maximum of $r_{EM}$ was correlated with morbidity (r=0.52) but not with mortality. It may have been affected by the limit of district-level irregularity such as difference in base-line heat vulnerability due to the age structure of the population. Areal distribution of the heat impact by local building and vegetation, such as spatial maximum and minimum, was more important than spatial mean. Such high resolution analyses are able to produce quantitative results in health impact and can also be used for economic analyses of localized urban development.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

Objectives: In recent years, serious concerns have been raised regarding the impacts of rising temperatures on health. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between elevated temperatures and kidney disease through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In October 2017, 2 researchers independently searched related studies in PubMed and Embase. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, including only studies that presented odds ratios, relative risks, or percentage changes, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The characteristics of each study were summarized, and the Egger test and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias. Results: Eleven studies that met the criteria were included in the final analysis. The pooled results suggest an increase of 30% (95% CI, 20 to 40) in kidney disease morbidity with high temperatures. In a disease-specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed for both renal colic or kidney stones and other renal diseases. In a study design-specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed in both time-series analyses and studies with other designs. In a temperature measure-specific subgroup analysis, significant results were likewise found for both studies using mean temperature measurements and studies measuring heat waves or heat stress. Conclusions: Our results indicate that morbidity due to kidney disease increases at high temperatures. We also found significant results in subgroup analyses. However, further time-series analyses are needed to obtain more generalizable evidence.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to select and predict optimal heatwave indices for describing and predicting heat-related illnesses. Regression analysis was conducted using Heat-related illness surveillance system data for a number of heat-related illnesses and meteorological data from the Korea Meteorological Administration's Automatic Weather Station (AWS) for the period from 2021 to 2023. Daily average temperature, daily maximum temperature, daily average Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), and daily maximum WBGT values were calculated and analyzed. The results indicated that among the four indicators, the daily maximum WBGT showed the highest suitability with an R² value of 0.81 and RMSE of 0.98, with a threshold of 29.94 Celsius. During the entire analysis period, there were a total of 91 days exceeding this threshold, resulting in 339 cases of heat-related illnesses. Predictions of heat-related illness cases from 2021 to 2023 using the regression equation for daily maximum WBGT showed an accuracy with less than 10 cases of error annually, demonstrating a high level of precision. Through continuous research and refinement of data and analysis methods, it is anticipated that this approach could contribute to predicting and mitigating the impact of heatwaves.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2015

Purpose: For hemodialysis, a vascular access which can maintain a certain speed for a long time is required. The prevention of the vascular access dysfunction is very important to decrease morbidity and to improvethe quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis It is reported that far infrared heat increases the blood flow by expanding capillaries and micro-arteriovenouses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of far infrared heat therapy as a new nursing intervention for maintaining vascular access function and improving the blood flow of patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods: The quasi-experimental research of nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was carried out for 59 patients receiving hemodialysis 3 times per week at K medical center. A far infrared heat was applied to the experimental group for 3 months. Results: The arteriovenous fistula blood flow of the experimental group (far infrared heat therapy group) increased significantly when compared to the control group (p=.047). However, static intra-access pressure ratio(SIAPR)was not different statistically (p=.101). Conclusion: The far infrared therapy could be considered as nursing intervention of choice as it demonstrated increase in the arteriovenous fistula blood flow in the patients receiving hemodialysis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objectives: To study symptom differentiation for yang deficiency and blood heat based on 117 psoriasis patients. Methods: Obtained frequency analysis (%), mean (%), and OR, CL(P-value) with prospective pre-post intervention design and multiple regression analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences as to sex, BMI, smoking and marital status, but there were statistically significant differences in variables of average age, family history, and alcohol consumption (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in psoriasis symptoms as to initial age of onset, morbidity span, area of the initial onset, and the progression of psoriasis during the last three months of each patient. However, the type of psoriasis showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.011). While there were no statistically significant differences as to common cold, condition of psoriasis after recovering from the cold, skin condition, exercise, and seasonality, irregular perspiration showed significant difference (p<0.00). When confounding factors have been controlled the blood heat patient group as the comparison group, multiple regression analysis showed OR, CI(95%) of 1.06(0.31-3.63) for men, 0.28(0.08-1.06) for aged 30 to 49,0 and 0.18(0.04-0.80) for aged 50 and older. it was 0.06(0.01-0.7) for family history, 1.06(0.29-3.88) for drink alcohol, 19.90(2.53-156.7) for seasonality, and 10.28 (3.19-33.11) for perspiration problems. In these variables, Sex, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption showed no statistically significant results, but family history(p=0.049), seasonality(p=0.005), and irregular perspiration (p=0.017) were statistically significant. Conclusion: Family history, seasonality and irregular perspiration are the determining factors for yang deficiency and blood heat in psoriasis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2021

In order to ensure the fact that eight principle pattern differentiation is used clinically as a basic guideline for Korean medicine practice, the definition, role and method of yin-yang pattern differentiation with its case report were explored at first. Yinyang Pattern Differentiation is a method of discriminating human tendencies or morbidity based on the yin and yang characteristics expressed in living bodies. And yin and yang are the two contrasting characteristics and aspects of the interaction when certain physical conditions that have a lasting effect on the human physiological metabolic function are correlated with the morbidity. Specific methods of yinyang pattern differentiation can be divided into several types of yin and yang indicators. First, time and space factors like day and night, hot and cold seasons, above and below, topographical districts. Second, colors and pulse and their/or relative clearness and muddiness, hardness and softness, moving and resting. Third, diagnose yin and yang patterns through distinguishing the true and false of a fever and cold in an emergency phase such as increase of brain pressure and shock state. Fourth, general characteristics of the propensity and constitution of a subject such as body type, speech, behavior, and physiological metabolism. And for clinical use, these were summarized again as a symptom indicators of physical signs and color, pulse, tongue and questionnaire indicators of propensity, body type, and space-time characteristics. Conclusively, it was confirmed that yinyang pattern differentiation has its own diagnostic significance which is distinct from exterior-interior, cold-heat and deficiency-excess pattern differentiation.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2015

Background: Heart attack is the most common cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Daily aspirin therapy is a preventative measure used to reduce the morbidity of heart attacks but may decrease the ability to dissipate heat by reducing skin blood flow. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, firefighters were randomized to receive 14 days of therapy (81-mg aspirin or placebo) before performing treadmill exercise in thermal-protective clothing in a hot room [$38.8{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$, $24.9{\pm}9.1%$ relative humidity (RH)]. Three weeks without therapy was provided before crossing to the other arm. Firefighters completed a baseline skin blood-flow assessment via laser Doppler flowmetry; skin was heated to $44^{\circ}C$ to achieve maximal cutaneous vasodilation. Skin blood flow was measured before and after exercise in a hot room, and at 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes of recovery under temperature conditions ($25.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $40.3{\pm}13.7%\;RH$). Platelet clotting time was assessed before drug administration, and before and after exercise. Results: Fifteen firefighters completed the study. Aspirin increased clotting time before and after exercise compared with placebo (p = 0.003). There were no differences in absolute skin blood flow between groups (p = 0.35). Following exercise, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was $85{\pm}42%$ of maximum in the aspirin and $76{\pm}37%$ in the placebo groups. The percentage of maximal CVC did not differ by treatment before or after recovery. Neither maximal core body temperature nor heart rate responses to exercise differed between trials. Conclusion: There were no differences in skin blood flow during uncompensable heat stress following exercise after aspirin or placebo therapy.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

Heat wave is a disaster, which increases morbidity and mortality in temperate regions. Climate model results indicate that both intensity and frequency of heat wave in the future will be increased. This study shows the result about relationship between excess mortality and offensive airmass in 7 metropolitan cities, and an operational Heat-Health Warning System (HHWS) in Korea. Using meteorological observations, the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC) has been used to classify each summer day from 1982 to 2007 into specific airmass categories for each city. Through the comparative study analysis of the daily airmass type and the corresponding daily mortality rate, Dry Tropical (DT), and Moist Tropical plus (MT+) were identified as the most offensive airmasses with the highest rates of mortality. Therefore, using the multiple linear regression, forecast algorithm was produced to predict the number of the excess deaths that will occur with each occurrence of the DT and MT+ days. Moreover, each excess death forecast algorithm was implemented for the system warning criteria based on the regional acclimatization differences. HHWS will give warnings to the city's residents under offensive weather situations which can lead to deterioration in public health, under the climate change.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.445-457
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• 2011

1. Purpose Lee Je-Ma had continued to revise "Donguisusebowon" by adding the contents of the Symptomatic-pharmacology(病證藥理論) on Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeeumin to it from the first establishment of the old version in 1894 to 1900.(new version). This paper tries to find out the contents and meaning of the Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases(病證論) between the old version and new version and what the Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases affected the Theory of Eight Constitution created in subsequent years. 2. Methods I classified the Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases in "DongYiSuseBowon" into old version and new version and tried to find out the Theory of Eight morbidities(8病證論) which is the predecessor of the Theory of Eight Constitution, before reviewing their relation. 3. Conclusions 1) The Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases in the old version specify that the externally sensed diseases are caused by the deep sediment of nature(性) and that the internally touched diseases are caused by the violent activities of emotion(情). In addition, it said that all diseases are caused by the specific characteristics of patient's smaller internal organs(偏小之臟). But in new version, the diseases were understood through the concept Exterior, Interior, Heat and cold(表裏寒熱). The new version said that the diseases may be caused not only the specific characteristics of patient's smaller organs but also by bigger organs(偏大之臟). 2) The Theory of Eight Constitution was derived from the Theory of Eight morbidities, in which all kinds of human diseases are caused by 8 disease-orgin organ and that the diseases therefore can be classified into 8 morbidities. The Theory of Eight morbidities reorganized the Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases in "DongYiSuseBowon" by classifying them into first morbidity and second morbidity. 3) The Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases in "DongYiSuseBowon" has decisively affected the creation of the Theory of Eight morbidities which is the predecessor of the Theory of Eight Constitution. The Theory of Eight morbidities may be deemed another interpretation of the Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Diseases in "DongYiSuseBowon". As the Theory of Eight morbidities put emphasis on the genetic characteristics, the Theory of Eight Constitution stating that Eight morbidities are caused by different specific constitution was derived.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

Climate change is one part of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Fifth Assessment Report by the Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) published in 2014, global warming is caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The most important GHG is carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is released by the burning of fossil fuels and, to a lesser extent, by land use practices, followed by nitrous oxide and methane. IPCC predicts that global temperatures will rise 3.7℃ and sea level will rise 0.63 m by 2099 in the case of no strong restraint. According to the report, we can expect a massive species extinctions, changes in storm and drought cycles, altered ocean circulation, and redistribution of vegetation by global warming. However, climate changes, especially global warming, are the largest potential threat to human health and the source of a number of diseases globally. If climate changes are continued uncontrolled, human health will be adversely affected by the accelerating climate change and the natural disaster induced by climate change. It means we will face more serious conditions of injury, disease, and death related to natural disasters such as flood, drought, heat waves, malnutrition, more allergy, air pollution and climate change related infections related to morbidity and mortality. This review emphasizes on the relationship between global climate changes and human health and provides some suggestions for improvement.