• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.603-615
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• 2022

Assessing the health of international migrants is crucial in the Republic of Korea, Asia, and even worldwide. We compared the risk factors for non-communicable diseases among Asian migrants in Korea and the Korean population. This cross-sectional (2015) and longitudinal (2009-2015) observational study comprised a population-wide analysis spanning 2009 to 2015. Asian migrants (n=987,214) in Korea and Korean nationals (n=1,693,281) aged ≥20 were included. The Asian migrants were classified as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and other. The prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (current smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) were analyzed. Regarding the age-adjusted prevalence, direct age standardization was conducted separately by sex using 10-year age bands; the World Standard Population was used as the standard population. Among the participants aged ≥20, the age-adjusted prevalence of current smoking was higher among Chinese and other Asian migrant men than among Korean men and women (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was higher among Chinese, Filipino, and other Asian migrant women than in Korean women (p<0.001, p=0.002, and p<0.001, respectively). Among the participants aged 20-49, the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was higher in Filipino migrant women than in Korean women (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively). Current rates of smoking and obesity were worse among Asian migrants of specific nationalities than among native Koreans. The health inequalities among Filipino migrant women in Korea, especially those aged 20-49, should be addressed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.255-265
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• 2022

Background: Research in environmental health (EH) is of crucial strategic importance for contemporary society. It is becoming even more critical in light of the increasingly rapid pace of environmental changes, opportunities, and threats. Objectives: This study aimed to identify trends and the prospective of environmental health research using SWOT analysis. Methods: The trends in environmental health research were reviewed in previous studies and reports. Reviewed manuscripts were searched for using the keywords of 'environmental health' and 'environmental hygiene' in the KCI (Korean Journal of Citation Index), KISS (Korean Academic Information), PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: It is essential to center the EH research agenda around key priorities focusing on technological innovation, job creation, and the increasingly prominent role of the private sector. Given the rapidly evolving global sustainability agenda, greater clarity on the ever-increasing sources of complexity and growing expectations of the public might be needed. This requires the identification of criteria to identify EH research priorities with the ultimate goal of maximizing societal benefit. Public health relevance, such as extent and severity of health impact, level of exposure, and inequalities of effects, could be included. Conclusions: Considering the recent interest in and importance of environmental health, a comprehensive approach to environmental health research should be required through the application of the latest science and technology, citizen participation, and environmental health surveillance systems.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.506-519
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the associations of income, marital status, and health behaviors with hypertension in male and female over 40 years of age in the Korea. Methods: The data were derived from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES; 4851-302) which included 211 576 participants. To analyze the relationships of income, marital status, and health behaviors with hypertension in male and female over 40 years of age, multiple logistic regression was conducted with adjustments for these variables. Results: The prevalence of hypertension increased linearly as income decreased. The odds ratio for developing hypertension in people with an income of <0.5 million Korean won (KRW) compared to ≥6.0 million KRW was 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.93) in the total population, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.98) in male, and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.35 to 3.28) in female. The combined effect of income level and marital status on hypertension was significant. According to income level and marital status, in male, low income and divorce were most associated with hypertension (1.76 times; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.08). However, in female, the low-income, married group was most associated with hypertension (1.83 times; 95% CI, 1.71 to 1.97). Conclusions: The results of this study show that it is necessary to approach male and female marital status separately according to income in health policies to address inequalities in the prevalence of hypertension.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

Objectives: Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran. Methods: First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties. Results: It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond to level I, II, and III demands, respectively, in 373 cities. Service level III was not available in 39 cities within the determined travel time, which led to an increased average travel time of 173 minutes to the nearest MNCS provider. Conclusions: This study revealed inequalities in the distribution of MNCS providers. Management of the distribution of MNCS providers can be used to enhance spatial access to health services and reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This method may provide a sustainable healthcare solution at the policy and decision-making level for regional, or even universal, healthcare networks.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.67-76
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• 2022

COVID-19 struck labor markets around the world, exposing and exacerbating the gender inequalities within the human capital structure. The last, in its turn, jeopardizes the return of the national economies to the growth trajectory undermined by pandemic impact. The authors assume that COVID-19 disproportionately affected the employment rates of women and men, which led to increased gender inequality in the labor market, which, in turn, affected GDP growth rates in the EU. To prove this hypothesis two research questions are discovered: 1) whether there was a different correlation between the number of COVID-19 cases in the EU and indicators of the labor market for women and men; and 2) whether there was a link between the growth of gender inequality in the EU labor market and the GDP dynamics in these countries. The analysis of the correlation between the number of cases of COVID-19 and indicators of the labor market in the EU revealed faster growth of women's unemployment rates compared to men's ones as the COVID-19 incidence unfolded. Multiple linear regression and factor analysis have been used to investigate the influence of gender inequality in the labor market on GDP dynamics. Despite the methodological limitations, the proposed model is both a sound argument and an analytical basis in favor of gender-responsive economic recovery backed by the systematic and consistent gender equality policy of a government.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for resolving individual and regional health inequalities by identifying factors that affect healthy living practices, and to protect the access to health equity and the access to health equity and the people's right to health. Raw data from the 2019 Community Health Survey were used, and descriptive statistical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS 9.4 and IBM SPSS ver. 21. The healthy living practice rate was 33.8% overall, and there was a difference of 11~20% by region. In terms of individual factors, healthy living practices were significantly different in gender, age, occupation, sleep time, subjective health status, and subjective stress level. In the interpersonal factor, there was a difference in social activity for healthy living practice, and in the community factor, positive attitude toward the local physical environment, annual unsatisfied medical care, and use of health institutions were significant. In order to increase the practice of healthy living by region based on the research results, comprehensive policies and cooperative measures that can be approached at the individual, social and national level should be implemented along with specific strategies.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.226-234
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• 2021

Purpose: The accessibility of medical facilities for cancer patients affects both their comfort and survival. Patients in rural areas have a higher socioeconomic burden and are more vulnerable to emergency situations than urban dwellers. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a cancer care model integrating a regional cancer center (RCC) and public health center (PHC). Methods: This study analyzed the construction of a safety care network for cancer patients that integrated an RCC and PHC. Two public health institutions (an RCC in Gyeongnam and a PHC in Geochang County) collaborated on the development of the community care model. The study lasted 13 months beginning in February 2019 to February 2020. Results: The RCC developed the protocol for evaluating and measuring 27 cancer-related symptoms, conducted education for PHC nurses, and administered case counseling. The staff at the PHC registered, evaluated, and routinely monitored patients through home visits. A smartphone application and regular video conferences were incorporated to facilitate mutual communication. In total, 177 patients (mean age: 70.9 years; men: 59%) were enrolled from February 2019 to February 2020. Patients' greatest unmet need was the presence of a nearby cancer treatment hospital (83%). In total, 28 (33%) and 44 (52%) participants answered that the care model was very helpful or helpful, respectively. Conclusion: We confirmed that a combined RCC-PHC program for cancer patients in rural areas is feasible and can bring satisfaction to patients as a safety care network. This program could mitigate health inequalities caused by accessibility issues.

• Iberoamérica
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-55
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• 2019

In Brazil, racism exists without the clear definition of race. In other words, because there is racism without a clear concept of race, racial issues are complicated in Brazil. Racism is not just a social problem. It is, above all, a political problem that arises from economic separation, exclusion, and marginalization. From the enlargement process of European colonialism, racism has been the most profound and efficient way of governance of social, material, psychological and political domination of Brazil. From this perspective, this study seeks to research racism in Brazil as a race politics. In conclusion, racial discrimination and racial inequality exist in Brazil. Thus, to study the racial discrimination and racial inequalities in Brazil, Chapter 2 examines the origins of racial politics in Brazil. Chapter 3 explores the relations of Brazilian society and races. Chapter 4 examines Black's resistance to racism as a black movement in Brazil. The first half of Chapter 5 looks at 'racial inequality in Brazil' and the latter sees 'racism in Brazil'. Chapter 6, as a conclusion, discusses the challenges and limitations of racial politics in Brazil.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.253-283
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• 2009

This study examined empirically the effect mechanism of labor market structure on access to social insurance. Data were derived from the second wave of Korea Welfare Panel Study in 2007 with a sub-sample of 3,790 of wage workers. Path analysis and structural equation model were used to analyze the effect mechanism. Findings confirmed the inequality of labor market by revealing high causal relationships among occupations and jobs, size of the firm, employment forms, and income. The results suggest that access to social insurance depends on the structural interaction of labor market rather than on the individual worker's trait. Small enterprises and non-standard employment were indicated as the main element explaining the unequal access to social insurance. Finally this study identified women's experience of intensive inequalities in the labor market status and access to social insurance.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.401-404
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• 2003

In this paper, $H_2$, $H_{\infty}$, and mixed $H_2/H_{\infty}$ FIR filters are newly proposed for discrete-time state space signal models. The proposed filters require linearity, unbiased property, FIR structure, and independence of the initial state information in addition to the performance criteria in both $H_2$ and $H_{\infty}$ sense. It is shown that $H_2$, $H_{\infty}$, and mixed $H_2/H_{\infty}$ FIR filter design problems can be converted into convex programming problems via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with a linear equality constraint. Simulation studies illustrat that the proposed FIR filter is more robust against uncertainties and has faster convergence than the conventional IIR filters. the conventional IIR filters.