• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2021

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads heterogeneously, disproportionately impacting poor and minority communities. The relationship between poverty and race is complex, with a diverse set of structural and systemic factors driving higher rates of poverty among minority populations. The factors that specifically contribute to the disproportionate rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, are not clearly understood. Methods: We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 test results from community-based testing sites in Los Angeles, California, between June and December, 2020. We used tester zip code data to link those results with United States Census report data on average annual household income, rates of healthcare coverage, and employment status by zip code. Results: We analyzed 2 141 127 SARS-CoV-2 test results, of which 245 154 (11.4%) were positive. Multivariable modeling showed a higher likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among Hispanic communities than among other races. We found an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 positivity among individuals from zip codes with an average annual household income

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.42 no.12 s.202
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• pp.93-106
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• 2004

This study examines the economic status and effect variables of expenditure of single elderly households using the 1996 Expenditure Survey of Urban Families from the Korea National Office. This study examined gender differences in total house income, expenditure and effect variables of expenditure. The results show that women had lower economic condition than men and that income is the most effective variable of expenditure for both. The result imply the need of employment and active support to improve household income especially for women who have a higher possibility of poverty.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2010

The current study examined the effects of socio-demographic characteristics and peer relations on the emotional, behavioral, and comorbid disorder symptoms among low-low-SES children, using the Young Lives Survey: an International Study of Childhood Poverty: Round 1, 2002. Participants were 1,000 8-year-old children (502 boys and 498 girls) from low-low-SES families. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-tests, post hoc test (Scheffe's method), correlations, and multiple logistic regression analyses according to the analysis strategy. There was a moderate correlation between selected socio-demographic variables and emotional/behavioral disorder symptoms, and the caregiver's marital status, child's health compared to others, child's work status corresponded to significant differences in their emotional/behavior levels. Regarding the logistic regression analysis, in addition to the effects of socio-demographic variables reflecting the characteristics of less-developed countries, marital status, child's working status, and conflicts with peers proved to be detrimental to emotional, behavioral, or comorbid disorder symptoms in low-SES children, who have been lack quality parenting, social resources, and child human rights. Results indicated the need to develop health care services that would address those problems and appropriate intervention and prevention programs targeting children in low-income families. Moreover, careful assessment and intervention for child's health status, child's working status and peer relationship problems are suggested as possible strategies for helping children at risk of exhibiting further problematic behaviors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.236-250
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate difference in the diet by the kind of meal and the economic status. Nutrient contents at each meals were compared and differences in food intake at different meal were analyzed by economic status. Data from the 1998 Korean National Health Examination Nutrition Survey were used. Using the poverty line based on the 1998 Korean minimum cost of living, the subjects (n = 10400) were classified into high class (36.1％), middle class (40.7％) and low class (23.1 ％). Most nutrient intakes were obtained for main meals regardless of economic status. For high class, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks bring about 21, 29, 30 and 19 ％ of total energy intake, for middle class 22, 29, 30 and 19％ and for low class 24, 30, 30 and 16％, respectively. The high-middle class people tend to get more food intakes and nutrients at dinner and snacks, while the low class at main meals. This result was associated with the consumption of a smaller number of meals and a greater number of snacks daily as the economic level was going up (p 〈 0.05). Meals contributed to energy, protein and fat intake, and snacks to water, retinol and vitamin C. The food intakes by food group were different at meals by economic class. Seaweed product were popular breakfast foods in both middle and low groups. Thus three meals such as breakfast, lunch and dinner still delivered most of the energy and most of the macro-nutrients regardless of economic status.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.119-142
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe of the reality of working poor in Korea. In spite of the increasing attention to the working poor, usual definitions of the working poor have some measurement questions. The definition of the working poor should focus on the key dimensions of work and poverty. This study defines working poor as all "persons who have devoted prior 6 months to working or looking for work and who lived in families with incomes below the poverty threshold". This study also defines poverty threshold based on the both concept of absolute and relative poverty. According to this definition, the working poor are almost equally divided between men and women and the majority of them are of prime working age. These characteristics of working poor are seems to be quite different from common sense. Also, serious deficiencies of human capital contribute to the employment problems of the working poor. Their education levels are much less than those of the working non-poor. The distributions of the employment status, occupation, and industry show also that the working poor are highly concentrated in a few low-wage jobs.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.225-235
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• 2011

Purpose: To describe psychosocial adjustment of low-income Koreans who have cancer. Methods: Data were collected during 2008 using individual in-depth interviews with 18 Korean people with cancer. The income status of the participants was low, 11 were recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Protection program. Mean age was 58.3 yr and 11 were female. Five participants had stomach cancer, five, colorectal cancer, and four, breast cancer. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results: The core category emerged as 'bearing up alone with double suffering'. 'Poverty and cancer: A double suffering' emerged as a causal condition. The adjustment process consisted of three stages: 'forming a treatment will to live', 'practicing for the cure', and 'restructuring self and repaying favors'. Each stage indicated action-interaction strategies which were employed to bear up alone with double suffering during the illness process. Self-reflection, parental responsibility, and support from the public sector played important roles in overcoming the double suffering. Two types of consequences were identified: Transcended life and strained life suppressed by poverty and cancer. Conclusion: The results provide insights into the psychosocial adjustment process for low income Korean with cancer and can be used in developing and implementing efficient home-care services for these people.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.249-274
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• 2010

This study examines a casaul relationship between depression and welfare transitions of the National Basic Likelihood Protection Program. From a social selection perspective, prior high levels of depression are likely to select people into welfare or serve as a barrier to leaving welfare. From a social causation perspective, entering or exiting welfare can change the levels of depression. These hypotheses were tested using KOWEPS(Korean Welfare Panel study) 2005~2007. The results are as follows. First, entering welfare clearly increases the levels of depression. The increased economic stress resulting from falling into poverty seems to play a major role in the negative effect of welfare entry. Second, exiting welfare does not decrease the levels of depression. However, when welfare exits are classified into distinctive categories, welfare exit combined with concurrent poverty exit is likely to decrease the levels of depression. Third, high levels of depression clearly increase the probability of entering welfare regardless of the prior poverty status. Fourth, high levels of depression do not decrease the probability of exiting welfare, but rather increase the probability of an administrative disentitlement which leads to even worse economic conditions after exiting welfare. One implication of these findings is that negative policies such as time limit and strengthening sanctions can increase the number of welfare cyclers who are able-bodied but mentally weak.

• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.73-107
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the characteristics of the social relations of migrant workers in the Ansan area and the factors for the construction of those characteristics. The social relations of migrant workers in the Ansan area are affected by the Korean government's policy of EPS, a short-term rotation policy and its ban on the settlement of migrant workers. These workers are likely to form a temporary and bounded social relationship. The bounded social relationship of migrant workers to society is one of the major factors that put them in social poverty. Ethnic communities, support organizations for migrant workers, and local government agencies have assumed the task of helping build the network among migrant workers of various ethnic backgrounds as well as aiding their participation in local social activities. The status of a temporary resident is the prime reason for spatial exclusion and social poverty among migrant workers. To prevent the exacerbation of these phenomena, this study suggests that the government reconsider its short-term work permit policy for less skilled workers.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.39-58
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors determining the participation of the poor elderly in economic activity. This study analyzed secondary data of the second wave of Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors that are associated with the economic activity of the poor elderly. The results of the analyses showed that age, gender, region, public assistance, education, health status, chronic illness, contacts with acquaintances, and support from children were associated with participation in economic activity. The study's findings have several implications for policies and services. The study identified the need for an age- and gender-specific approach to promoting participation in economic activity among the poor elderly. Regional differences should also be considered in the creation of work opportunities for older adults. In terms of human capital, the positive effect of good health indicates that strategies are needed to address the needs of older adults with health issues. In addition, there is a need for more jobs for elderly job seekers with high levels of education. Finally, policy makers and practitioners should explore interventions for enhancing the social network involvement and community support for the elderly living in poverty.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2008

Objectives : During the past two decades, food deprivation and hunger have been recognized to be not just the concerns of only underdeveloped or developing countries, but as problems for many affluent Western nations as well Many countries have made numerous efforts to define and measure the extent of these problems. Based on these efforts, the theory and practice of food security studies has significantly evolved during the last decades. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the concept and measurement of food security Methods and results : In this review, we introduce the definition and background of food security, we describe the impact of food insecurity on nutrition and health, we provide its measurements and operational instruments and we discuss its applications and implications. Some practical information for the use of the food security index in South Korea is also presented. Conclusions : Food security is an essential element in achieving a good nutritional and health status and it has an influence to reduce poverty The information about the current understanding of food security can help scientists, policy makers and program practitioners conduct research and maintain outreach programs that address the issues of poverty and the promotion of food security.