• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a two-year global health project to improve maternal and child health (MCH) in Ethiopia. Methods: This is a descriptive case study. The target area is Kilte Awlaelo Woreda in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. A baseline survey was conducted to identify the needs of community residents and health care professionals. A MCH program was developed according to a project design matrix that included: infrastructure renovation of health centers; continuing education for midwives, nurses, and health extension workers (HEWs); and improvement of residents' MCH awareness. Project evaluation will examine the structure, process, and outcomes of the program. Results: The baseline survey showed low rates of family planning (31%) and antenatal and postnatal care use (36.1% and 69%, respectively). The institutional birth rate was 13.5%. Midwives and nurses received 2~4 educational programs about family planning and perinatal care. HEWs were also given practical education. Water and electrical infrastructure of all five health centers in the Kilte Awlaelo Woreda were renovated. Additionally, medical supplies and equipment were provided. Community health education on perinatal care, family planning, and personal hygiene was presented. Conclusion: This study highlights the role of nursing in global health and provides basic information on the development and outcomes of the global health project.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.342-356
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• 2019

Background: The objectives of the study are to find out the effect of the implementing reform in three Central Asian countries, identify its impact on health status and health care delivery systems. This study address to identify strong and weak points of the health systems and provide a recommendation for further health care organization. Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of implemented policy on health care system efficiency and equity. Secondary data were collected on selected health indicators using information from the World Health Organization Global Health Expenditure Database, European Health Information Platform, and World Bank Open Data. Results: In terms of population status, countries achieved relatively good results. Infant mortality and under-5 mortality rate decreased in all countries; also, life expectancy increased, and it was more than 70 years. Regulations of the health systems are still highly centralized, and the Ministry of Health is the main organ responsible for national health policy developing and implementation. Among the three countries, only Kyrgyzstan was successful in introducing a national health system. Distribution of health expenditure between public expenditure and out-of-pocket payments was decreased, and out-of-pocket payments were less the 50% of total health expenditure in all countries, in 2014. Conclusion: After independent, all three countries implemented a certain number of the policy reform, mostly it was directed to move away from the old the Soviet system. Subsequent reform should be focused on evidence-based decision making and strengthening of primary health care in terms of new public health concepts.

• The Journal of Health Technology Assessment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2018

As technologies develop, the digital health sector is gradually expanding. Internationally, the global summit for Digital Health named Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) was launched in 2018. Many countries are participating in GDHP and share their policy experiences on digital health and find the ways to cooperate with participating countries (13 countries, including South Korea, and Hong Kong). This article reviewed the international trends in digital health policy environment and evidence assessment focusing on GDHP activities, and derived implications for health technology assessment of digital health. Consequently, to assess the intervention effects of digital health is very complex and the assessment should be considered multidimensional aspects (social, clinical, and technical). In addition the patient experience should be assessed qualitatively. Health technology assessment (HTA) should assess the effect of digital health policies to changes in health care systems resulting from the application of advanced technologies related to the 4th Industrial Revolution. Digital health is also related to new HTA, HTA of existing technologies, and R&D on the promising health technology. Therefore, it is necessary to review the trends of the technology's management policy consistently through the HTA of digital health.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.258-272
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• 2023

This study investigated the current status and educational needs of global health education (GHE) at medical schools in Korea. Among the 40 medical schools nationwide, 32 schools that agreed to participate in the study collected data through a survey in 2022, and the results were examined by frequency analysis and content analysis. In total, 87.5% of medical schools included global health-related graduation outcomes. In the curriculum, global health lessons within courses were present at 71.9% of medical schools. Regarding extracurricular activities, 66.7% and 63.0% of medical schools offered overseas clerkships and overseas volunteer work, respectively. Although there were not many medical schools with a global health-related educational environment, 96.9% of schools agreed with the necessity of GHE in medical education. The prevailing opinion was that it was appropriate to continuously cover GHE as lessons within courses throughout all years of the program in medical education. The main opinions regarding the improvement of GHE related to curriculum development, personnel expansion, and awareness improvement at medical schools. These findings are expected to serve as a basis for identifying the current status of GHE at Korean medical schools and specifying future directions of GHE.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.364-373
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• 2012

The United Nations Environmental Program Governing Council has regulated mercury as a global pollutant since 2001 and has been preparing the mercury convention, which will have a strongly binding force through Global Mercury Assessment, Global Mercury Partnership Activities, and establishment of the Open-Ended Working Group on Mercury. The European Union maintains an inclusive strategy on risks and contamination of mercury, and has executed the Mercury Export Ban Act since December in 2010. The US Environmental Protection Agency established the Mercury Action Plan (1998) and the Mercury Roadmap (2006) and has proposed systematic mercury management methods to reduce the health risks posed by mercury exposure. Japan, which experienced Minamata disease, aims vigorously at perfection in mercury management in several ways. In Korea, the Ministry of Environment established the Comprehensive Plan and Countermeasures for Mercury Management to prepare for the mercury convention and to reduce risks of mercury to protect public health.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2015

Background: We measured productivity changes of regional public hospitals using both global Malmquist productivity index-based on global production possibility set over all the periods-and the traditional Malmquist productivity index and analyzed the factors of productivity change. Methods: The data used in this study is two annual inputs and two annual outputs of 32 regional public hospitals in Korea from 2005 to 2009 and the results such as distances and Malmquist productivity index and global Malmquist productivity index are obtained by an R program written for this study. Results: The results can be summarized as follows. Firstly, technical efficiencies of regional public hospitals are affected largely by scale efficiency than pure technical efficiency. Second, productivity progressed and technological change has more significant influence on productivity advance over the period between 2005 and 2009. Third, the circularity problem of the traditional Malmquist index is confirmed, and so the global Malmquist index without this problem are valid for the analysis. Conclusion: Though this study also has some limitations with the data of regional public hospitals with a short time span, it is the first study of hospitals using global Malmquist productivity index and later it can be expanded to private hospitals and longer time periods.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2021

Purpose: Global collaboration to accelerate development and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines was launched with the name of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), and this initiative owes its expertise to the lessons learned of the global health organizations. To date, the comprehensive mechanisms and potential effects of the initiative remain largely unknown. Methods: This study reviewed the programs of Gavi, the Global Fund, Unitaid, and ACT-A, which mitigating barriers to greater use of health technology with an analytic framework. Results and conclusion: The study findings are as follows. First, programs to alleviate the absence of necessary technology include the International Finance Facility for Immunization and Covax Facility. Second, Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Accelerated Order Mechanism are examples of mitigating the inability to access technology. Third, programs to overcome reluctance to adopt accessible technology include health system strengthening efforts such as the capacity-building health workforces. Further actions of Korea are needed to collaborate with the initiatives to enhance health outcomes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.551-558
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• 2020

The flaviviruses are small single-stranded RNA viruses that are typically transmitted by mosquitoes or tick vectors and are etiological agents of acute zoonotic infections. The viruses are found around the world and account for significant cases of human diseases. We investigated population of culicine mosquitoes in central region of Korean Peninsula, Incheon Metropolitan City and Hwaseong-si. Aedes vexans nipponii was the most frequently collected mosquitoes (56.5%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (23.6%), Anopheles spp. (10.9%), and Culex pipiens complex (5.9%). In rural regions of Hwaseong, Aedes vexans nipponii was the highest population (62.9%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (23.9%) and Anopheles spp. (12.0%). In another rural region of Incheon (habitat of migratory birds), Culex pipiens complex was the highest population (31.4%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (30.5%), and Aedes vexans vexans (27.5%). Culex pipiens complex was the predominant species in the urban region (84.7%). Culicine mosquitoes were identified at the species level, pooled up to 30 mosquitoes each, and tested for flaviviral RNA using the SYBR Green-based RT-PCR and confirmed by cDNA sequencing. Three of the assayed 2,683 pools (989 pools without Anopheles spp.) were positive for Culex flaviviruses, an insect-specific virus, from Culex pipiens pallens collected at the habitats for migratory birds in Incheon. The maximum likelihood estimation (the estimated number) for Culex pipiens pallens positive for Culex flavivirus was 25. Although viruses responsible for mosquito-borne diseases were not identified, we encourage intensified monitoring and long-term surveillance of both vector and viruses in the interest of global public health.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.859-865
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• 2011

A bio-check unit and health index were developed to provide information on personal health state with easily available noninvasive measurements and surveys. Four health indices were defined such as cardiovascular index, stress index, obesity index, and management index. Methods were developed to calculate health index scores from measured physiological signals and answer of survey questions. In order to evaluate effectiveness of the health indices, a clinical trial was conducted for 362 persons who visited general hospital for annual health inspection. The cardiovascular index showed a good correlation coefficient of 0.685 with the cardiovascular health graded by a medical doctor. The stress index showed a good correlation coefficient of 0.638 with the results of stress questionnaires being used in the public health center. Once the health index function is added in the bio-check unit, the unit may provide useful contents for personal health management.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2008

Objectives : The purposes of this study were to examine the health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and to identify its related factors for a group of rural adults. Methods : The study subjects were 1,901 adults who were aged 40-70 years and who were living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and global self-rated health were collected for statistical analysis. The health-related quality of life was measured by the Euroqol EQ-5D instrument. The differences on the EQ-5D index between the groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results : Overall, the mean value of the EQ-5D index was $0.884{\pm}0.140$ and this score was significantly different according to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health-related behavior, the health status and the global self-rated health. According to the results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the HRQoL was significantly reduced for females, older subjects, and other subjects with no spouse and the subjects with osteoporosis, obesity, mental distress or poorer global self-rated health. Conclusions : The HRQoL for rural adults was related to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health status and the global self-rated health, A better understanding of the factors related to the HRQoL would help to improve the rural adults' quality of life.