• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제60권3호
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• pp.207-211
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• 2017

It is introduced an outstanding book about an important topic in occupational and environmental sciences i.e., the opportunities and challenges that may be connected with increasing the use and distribution of rare earth elements. These chemically similar elements, comprising the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, are involved in a number of essential technological applications, and their effects raise a number of human health issues of relevance to the occupational and environmental sciences. The book that I introduced here, "Rare Earth Elements in Human and Environmental Health; At the Crossroads between Toxicity and Safety" edited by Giovanni Pagano (Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd., Temasek Boulevard, Singapore) represents a break from that situation. It is essential to increase our knowledge about the environmental fate and biological effects of these technologically important metals in order to prevent unforeseen long-term man-made consequences to human health. This book is likely to become an important resource for scientists, engineers, and decision makers who understand the need for sensible exploitation of this resource.

• 한국농촌간호학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.5-10
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to identify strategies for the reform of the primary health care delivery system in rural areas. Methods: Official documents on changes in the rural health care environment were reviewed along with previous articles on reform of the health care delivery system in rural areas. Results: The primary health care system in rural areas of South Korea has not been well developed by the government. The government has mainly invested in hardware like facilities and equipment but, not in software like the delivery system or personnel. Nowadays every country is confronted with an aging society, which means an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease. Thus they have again become interested in primary health care delivery system. Further, characteristics of the primary health care system have changed to be more comprehensive and to focus on chronic disease. The primary health care system in rural areas should have basic health care functions and a visiting medical officer(doctor) connected with basic health care. Conclusions: The primary health care delivery system is the best strategy when adjusted to the characteristic of the chronic diseases that are prevalent today. Cooperation of the central government and local government is important if these changes are to be realized.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Background: Social status might be a determinant of occupational health inequalities. This study analyzed the effects of social status on both work environments and health outcomes. Methods: The study sample consisted of 27,598 wage employees aged 15 years and older from among the Korean Working Condition Survey participants in 2011. Work environments included atypical work, physical risks, ergonomic risks, work demands, work autonomy, social supports, and job rewards. Health outcomes comprised general health, health and safety at risk because of work, the World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index, work-related musculoskeletal disease, and work-related injury. Multivariable logistic-regression models were used to identify the associations between social status and work environments and health outcomes. Results: Employees in the demographically vulnerable group had lower occupational status compared with their counterparts. Low social status was largely related to adverse work environments. Especially, precarious employment and manual labor occupation were associated with both adverse work environments and poor health outcomes. Conclusion: Precarious and manual workers should take precedence in occupational health equity policies and interventions. Their cumulative vulnerability, which is connected to demographics, occupational status, adverse work environments, or poor health outcomes, can be improved through a multilevel approach such as labor market, organizations, and individual goals.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2012

Objectives: Effective and efficient response for public health crisis necessitate planning how to respond and mobilize the resources in schools. We preformed this study to develop the strategies to improve efficiency of school health education in an outbreak of pandemic disease. Methods: We tried to review the policies, regulations and response systems of all related sectors, and advanced cases associated with pandemic disease control measures by searching databases and on-line networks connected with the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Results: It was important to implement a consistent and systematic approach for educational offices and schools to prevent confusion resulted from the inaccurate information. First, the systems and action plans for school health should be established to prepare and respond to an outbreak of pandemic disease. Secondly, the strategies to improve the efficiency of school health education in public health crisis should be in place. Finally, the personnel pool would be needed to provide the crisis management programs. Conclusion: In order for staffs and students to have abilities to respond in an outbreak of pandemic disease, comprehensive school health approaches and efficient educational efforts should be prepared in collaboration with related sectors.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.448-457
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• 2010

Purpose: This study attempted to identify differences in elders' health status, quality of life, and satisfaction with customized home visiting health service depending on connection to volunteerism. Methods: A total of 400 subjects participated in this research. Data were collected from May to August of 2009 and the measurement tool used for this study was the house visiting health service recording sheet recommended by the Ministry of Health. Results: According to the results of this research on elders' health status in customized home visiting health service depending on connection to volunteerism, elders' connected to volunteerism positively showed a high level in functional health status areas such as daily life performance ability, instrumental daily life performance ability and Joint exercise capacity, and in the quality of life area. Conclusion: The results of this study can be utilized as complementary information when resources and networks are used for the effective management of house visiting health service subjects.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.309-322
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• 2006

During the last decade, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has been discussed worldwide as being an important tool for the development of healthy public policy. HIA has been advanced as a means of bringing potential health impacts to the attention of policy makers, particularly in sectors where health impacts may not otherwise be considered. HIA, a systematic assessment of potential health impacts of proposed public polices, programs, and projects, offers a means to advance population health by bringing public health research to bear on questions of public policy. In Korea, health-related items under current EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) system can only be found in the categories of hygiene and public health. However, environment and public health are not adequately connected and also health is underestimated even though health is an important objective component for the implementation of Environmental Assessments (EA). As a result, health is not well integrated within criteria for investigating the impacts on environment. This study examines linkages for HIA from the related and relatively well-developed field of Prior Environmental Review System (PERS) which is similar to SEA and EIA in Korea.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.385-386
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• 2021

The 2022 Presidential election is approaching. Because health policies are intimately connected to other policies and involve multiple stakeholders, it is difficult to promote policy changes. Hence, the presidential election, during which policymakers are replaced, is a great timing for making policy improvements. Several important policies have been introduced and promoted throughout the presidential election process. However, these policies have been implemented without going through sufficient discussion among the experts but rather through the voices of minority groups with stronger political will. This eventually posed an obstacle to the balanced development of the entire health care system. The current medical system faces challenges that need to be addressed in the medium and long term. In particular, we should be wary of the populistic approach. We look forward to seeing more policy commitments, proposed through the evidence-based policy process and sufficient amount of discussion among the experts.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.275-289
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• 2005

In Korea, health-related items under current EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) system can only be found in the categories of hygiene and public health. However, environment and public health are not adequately connected and also health is underestimated even though health is an important component of environmental assessments. As a result, health is not well integrated within criteria for investigating the impacts on environment. International trends in HIA (Health Impact Assessment) to strengthen the connection between environment and health were investigated in this research. Definitions, functions, circumstances, and merits of HIA in foreign countries were compared. By collecting and analyzing international organizations' and other countries' data related with HIA and EIA, preceding conditions and execution plans were suggested to link EIA and HIA from SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) aspects and to successfully accomplish EIA in Korea. According to this research, EHIA (Environmental Health Impact Assessment) can predict and manage the results of economical development only under the principles of inhabitants' participation, sustainability, and social justice. EHIA should be modified and improved towards increasing regional and national capabilities. For this, preparation of adequate procedure is required to connect EIA and HIA.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.269-279
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health center operation and to activate the program development of public oral health center. Methods : Delphi analyses were utilized by the recruited expert panel from August to September in 2012. Results : The difficulty in operation of the oral health centers is the human resources management. In order to solve the human resources operation, utilization of the local human resources is the best choice of the solution. The next choice was the designation of the oral health expert in Ministry of Health and Welfare. So the expert can activate the public oral health care system for the disabled and the underprivileged classes in the long term. Conclusions : In order to activate the oral health centers, Ministry of Health and Welfare should promote the public health center function connected with the cooperation of the Association of dental hygienists.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.82-95
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• 2003

Our health is intimately connected to the health of our environment. The contemporary world view which sees a radical distinction between humans as subjects and world as object can obscure our recognition of how much we rely on nature for health and survival. Indigenous traditions and contemporary scholars remind us that we live in a universe in which all things are connected, and in which nature continues to offer its gifts in co-creative partnership for the health and wellbeing of all. Living in awareness of our relationship with nature enables us to open more to the experience of nature's nurturing. Many complementary therapies derive from ancient practices that involve nature in healing partnership. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Hippocrates claimed that the way to health was through aromatic baths and massages. Much anecdotal evidence exists regarding aromatherapeutic positive effects on recipients. Aromatherapy is a branch of complementary or alternative therapy which is increasing in popularity, yet has scant scientific credibility. Aromatherapy should be defined as treatment using odors and practised as such. However, essential oils are usually used in conjunction with therapeutic massage and often combined with counselling of some kind. Aromatherapy complements and enhances the therapeutic powers of massage. Massage is one of the most wonderful ways to relax and is throughly beneficial to health. Massage can help unknot tense and aching muscles and other minor symptoms of stress, leaving patients fresh and energized. As the use of aromatherapy within a health care setting has grown so rapidly in recent years, and will continue to do so, the need for suitable training has become apparent. No health service can afford the risk of having staff who are inadequately trained in the practice of aromatherapy using essential oils incorrectly on those in a state of ill-health, especially if the essential oils used are not to a standard suitable for therapeutic use. Training to an acceptable level in aromatic therapy is essential for safety and effectiveness. Knowledge of the nature and make-up of essential oils, their effect on the body and the emotions, and how, when, and where to apply them is imperative in order for them to be beneficial to a patient's health. In order to achieve best practice, further research is necessary to explore the use of aromatherapy in the management of multiple disorder.