• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.125-144
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to present a legal improvement plan for health protection of the health-vulnerable class in our society in the 'COVID-19'. The contents of the first study examined the meaning of the existing (social) vulnerable class, and then critically considered the health-vulnerable class as an expanded concept in connection with the social risk of health. The term "vulnerable class" tends to have both meaning as the traditionally marginalized class such as the elderly, the disabled, and women, as well as the condition of having no ability to live due to low income, such as the low-income class. The concept of the health-vulnerable class is meaningful in that it appears as a recently expanded concept as it is linked to the concept of the vulnerable class and social risks such as health threats. The content of the second study looked at the problems that appeared when the health-vulnerable class was used together with the health care-vulnerable class in laws. Due to the laws used in both terms, there was a problem that the social security system related to health and health care could create blind spots. The contents of the third study suggested legal improvement directions for social security measures for health for the underprivileged.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.247-257
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• 2014

Purpose: It is reported that most senior people consume a high carbohydrate diet, while a high carbohydrate diet could contribute to the risk of chronic disease. The aim of this study is to determine whether a high carbohydrate diet can increase the risk of chronic disease in elderly Koreans. Methods: Using the 2007-2009 Korean National Health Nutrition Examination Survey data, out of a total of 3,917 individuals aged 65 and above, final 1,535 subjects were analyzed, divided by dietary carbohydrate energy ratio into two groups of moderate carbohydrate ratio (MCR, 55-70%) and excessive carbohydrate ratio (ECR, > 70%). All data were processed after the application of weighted value, using a general linear model or logistic regression. Results: Eighty one percent of elderly Koreans consumed diets with carbohydrate energy ratio above 70%. The ECR group included more female subjects, rural residents, lower income, and lower education level. The ECR group showed lower waist circumference, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower frequency of consumption of meat and egg, milk, and alcohol. The intake of energy and most nutrients, with the exception of fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and carotene, was lower in the ECR group compared to the MCR group. When analyzed by gender, the ECR group showed lower risk of dyslipidemia in male and obesity in female subjects, even though the ECR group showed low intake of some nutrients. No difference in the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and anemia was observed between the two groups in male or female subjects. Conclusion: This result suggested that a high carbohydrate diet would not be a cause to increase the risk of chronic disease in the elderly. Further study is needed in order to determine an appropriate carbohydrate energy ratio for elderly Koreans to reduce the risk of chronic disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.519-529
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of food insecurity in Korean elderly and to analyze the health status as well as food and nutrient intakes according to food insecurity status. Methods: A total of 939 elderly subjects (over 65 years old) were used in our analysis from the fifth 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1). The variables consisted of general characteristics, physical and mental health, nutrient intake, rate of deficient intake of energy and nutrients compared with Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) and food quality and diversity according to the status of food insecurity. Food insecurity status was measured using a self-reported food security questionnaire on the dietary situation in the previous year, and participants were classified according to three groups: food secure group, mildly food insecure group, and moderately/severely food insecure group. Results: The proportion of the food insecure group was approximately 67% and the food insecure group had lower income and educational status than the food secure group. Food insecurity was associated with worse physical and mental health status after adjusting potentially confounding variables. The results showed that food insecurity in Korean elderly significantly affected mental health (including stress cognition, depression experience, and suicide thoughts) which exceeded stages of physical health. In addition, food insecurity showed significant association with low nutrient intake and high rate of deficient intakes of energy and nutrients compared with KDRIs, and a reduction of dietary quality and diversity was indicated in the food insecure group. Conclusion: This study concludes that the prevalence of food insecurity may affect the physical and mental health as well as dietary intake of the elderly Korean population. Therefore, food insecurity should be considered as an important public health issue in Korea.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2008

Objective: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common especially among patients with osteoarthritis The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization rate and expenditures of patients who use CAM. Method: Two hundred seventy four patients with osteoarthritis were interviewed by a telephone survey. A structured questionnaire about sociodemographic features and type, cost, satisfaction and reason of CAM utilization was used Results: Among 274 patients with osteoarthritis, 251 patients(91.6%) had used at least one type of CAM during six months. There was a significant difference in sex (female), age (70 years), medical security (insurance), educational level between the user and non-user of CAM. Hyperthermia was the most use. The average cost for CAM utilization was 120 thousands won/person during six months and there was no difference in sociodemographic features among the out-of-pocket cost of users. The scores of satisfaction for CAM use were ranged between 60-70. Conclusions: CAM became a popular source of health care because of elderly and lay referral system. And Korean spent a substantial amount of out-of-pocket money on CAM without benefit. Health care system and professionals should pay more attention to CAM, make a evidence for CAM.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.152-158
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• 2019

This study examined the socio-economic and clinical characteristics associated with the use of ambulance services among pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women based on data from the 2008-2016 Korea Health Panel. The analysis revealed that among the pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women, the proportion using all ambulance services was 18.9% whereas 12.0% used private and 119 ambulances. Moreover, among those using ambulance services, delivery was the most common reason (38.7%) followed by complications of labor and delivery (20.0%) and pregnancy with abortive outcome (17.3%). There were statistically significant differences between the users and non-users of ambulance services in terms of the average annual household income, emergency arrival time, and delayed arrival at the emergency room. As childbirth becomes more complicated due to low fertility and elderly mothers, the expansion and improvement of ambulance services as a social safety net for pregnant, childbearing, and postpartum women will become increasingly important.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and related to the factors among the rural people. The questionnaire survey using the Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression Scale(CES-D) was conducted in the rural people. The subjects were 226 individuals, living in the rural area. The results of this study were as follows. In this study, the prevalence of depression was 15.0% in all and 18.3% in the elderly. The prevalence rate was higher in non educational, widowhood, higher income group. The prevalence rate was lower in the group of having good health status, having no chronic disease, low stress level. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of the depression were stress level whereas there was no relation with other factors. Based on the above findings, this study suggests that these risk factors of depression should be taken into consideration for the comprehensive mental health programs for the people living in the rural area.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2010

Objectives: This study furthers the currents understanding of mental health status and stress level among Seoul citizens and to identify differences according to socio-demographic variables for developing mental health programs. Methods: The study subjects using cluster-stratified sampling method were 1234 adults over 19 years old from 17 dong, S-Ku in Seoul City. A cross-sectional study with face-to-face interview was used to collect data. A questionnaire measuring socio-demographic variables, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and psychosocial wellbeing index-short form (PWI-SF) was utilized. Results: Three findings in this study were discussed: (1) The rate of clinical mental health was low in contrary to that of border group which was high and the rate of high risk group of stress was 68.1% (men 67.0%, women 69.0%); (2) The mental health and the stress level was significantly higher among female, elderly, lower education level, divorced, and lower family income; and (3) In Pearson correlation analysis, stress were correlated to all 9 symptoms of SCL-R. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the future intervention of Mental Health programs should be carefully designed and tailored by socio-demographic variables.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2973-2977
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• 2016

Opisthorchis viverrini is still a serious problem in Northeastern and Northern Thailand. Active surveillance is required to determine updated data for further prevention and control planning. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors for O. viverrini in three provinces, Northeastern Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during October 2015 to March 2016 at Kaeng Sanam Nang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Waeng Noi district of Khon Kaen province, and Khon Sawan district of Chaiyaphum province, Thailand. Stool samples were examined by using a modified Kato-Katz Thick smear technique. From a total of 978 participants screened, O. viverrini infection was found in 1.74%, the majority opf positive cases being male (6.62%), age group 51-60 years old (4.21%), educated at primary school (8.43%), occupied with agriculture (9.62%),having an income <4,000 baht per month (4.82%), and living in Khon Sawan district (8.43%). Participants had a high knowledge level (42.43%), good attitude level (34.76%), and fair level (38.04%). The present study indicates the O. viverrini infection rate is low, but elderly males with primary school education involved in agriculture are still frequently effected particularly in Khon Sawan district. Therefore, this risk group requires behavior modification and continued monitoring.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2018

Korea Institute for Family Planning (KIFP) was established on July 1, 1971 (Law 2270) and Korea Health Development Institute (KHDI) was established on April 19, 1976 (Law 2857). Korea Institute for Population and Health (KIPH) was formed through the merger of KIFP and KHDI (Act 3417) on July 1, 1981. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), the former KIPH, was renamed KIHASA on December 30, 1989 (Law 4181) with its additional function of research in social security. It was transferred on January 29, 1999 to the Office of State Affairs Coordination pursuant to the Law on the Establishment, Operation and Promotion of State-Sponsored Organizations (Law 5733). Annually it conducts approximately 50 short- and long-term research projects to accumulate a wide range of research experience. Also it studies and evaluates the primary issues of national health services, health and medical industries, social insurance, social security, family welfare, and population. it conducts joint research projects and active information exchange programs with related domestic and international organizations through seminars and conferences. It executes specific research and development projects according to the government's requests. it educates and trains people domestically and abroad by disseminating a wide-range of information on health and social affairs. it conducts national household surveys on areas of fertility, health and medical care of the disabled, the elderly, and low-income earners. The mid- and long-term research goals of KIHASA should be established and managed systematically. A new organization such as 'Center for Policy Evaluation' is needed to enhance research abilities and experiences. Able research personnels should be recruited and current researchers should try to develop their abilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.63-82
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• 2019

Libraries are recently emerging as the core institutions designed to resolve the information equality that is forecasted to further deepen with the arrival of the fourth industry revolution era. This study thus analyzed the trends of studies on the library services offered to people suffering information inequality in Korea, and proposed measures for the activation of the research and future studies so as to strengthen the domestic library services targeting the people suffering information equality and to promote the research. As a result, proposed as measures for the activation of research were (1) Policy support and project expansion at the national level, (2) Various approaches and research environment creation at the academic level, (3) Strengthening of services for the various levels of people suffering information inequality and deployment of professional librarians at the level of libraries, and (4) Encouraging librarians to enroll with graduate schools and to conduct research. Further, proposed were the future studies that can be approached according to the various levels of people suffering information inequality, such as disabled people, multicultural family members, elderly people, children, youth, agricultural and fishing areas, low-income people, and refugees(North Korea defectors).