• Title/Summary/Keyword: health policy in developed countries

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Work-Related Stress Risk Assessment in Italy: A Methodological Proposal Adapted to Regulatory Guidelines

  • Persechino, Benedetta;Valenti, Antonio;Ronchetti, Matteo;Rondinone, Bruna Maria;Tecco, Cristina Di;Vitali, Sara;Iavicoli, Sergio
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.95-99
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    • 2013
  • Background: Work-related stress is one of the major causes of occupational ill health. In line with the regulatory framework on occupational health and safety (OSH), adequate models for assessing and managing risk need to be identified so as to minimize the impact of this stress not only on workers' health, but also on productivity. Methods: After close analysis of the Italian and European reference regulatory framework and workrelated stress assessment and management models used in some European countries, we adopted the UK Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Management Standards (MS) approach, adapting it to the Italian context in order to provide a suitable methodological proposal for Italy. Results: We have developed a work-related stress risk assessment strategy, meeting regulatory requirements, now available on a specific web platform that includes software, tutorials, and other tools to assist companies in their assessments. Conclusion: This methodological proposal is new on the Italian work-related stress risk assessment scene. Besides providing an evaluation approach using scientifically validated instruments, it ensures the active participation of occupational health professionals in each company. The assessment tools provided enable companies not only to comply with the law, but also to contribute to a database for monitoring and assessment and give access to a reserved area for data analysis and comparisons.

Current Status of Korean Premature Infant Care and its Prospective (한국 미숙아 관리의 현황과 전망)

  • Shin Yeong-Hee
    • Child Health Nursing Research
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.96-106
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    • 2003
  • Advances in neonatal care system and research have resulted in an increased survival rate among low birth weight infants in the industrialized countries. Recent Korean neonatal mortality and morbidity statistics, and current status of Korean neonatal intensive care facilities were reviewed here for the sake of future improvement and research. Morbidity statistics revealed that perinatal diseases accounted for 80% of the death of premature infants implying the possibility of its reduction by the vigorous prenatal care service in future.On the basis of extensive studies of nutritional support and growth rate of premature infants, commercial formulas for premature infants have been developed and various aspects of feeding techniques are standardized. However, problem of growth deficit of premature infants remains unsolved as medical problem. NICU specialists are challenged with the tasks of prenatal education or provision of care that minimizes the neurodevelopmental problems seen in preterm infants, various short-term outcome researches have been reported and those are reviewed here to promote research interest in the field of neonatal nursing. Systemic long-term outcome studies are also awaited in Korea for the formulation of welfare policy in future. Nursing science has to embrace all these interdisciplinary studies as their own research field in collaboration with neonatologist, nutritionist, rehabilitation therapist, social workers and teachers.

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The Oriental Medicine the Traditional Drink Study on the Herbal (전통 음료의 한의학적(韓醫學的) 고찰(考察))

  • Lee, Tae-Kyong;Kim, Kyoung-Shin;Kim, Byoung-Soo
    • Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.37-48
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    • 2013
  • The review of the literature had been done to investigate the mechanism of the herbal medicines contained in traditional Korean medical books. We had thought the results could provide the theoretical basis of adding herbal medicies to functional drink. This study is a document research in cluding a historical review of traditional beverages from after the period of the Joseon Dynasty, analysis of the characteristics of tradition the herbal medicine of the Joseon entered the new stage at the era of King Sejong. In the reign of Sejong, there had been a noticeable increase in kinds of herbs. Besides understanding the quality of herbs by provinces, the Joseon government also had pushed ahead with increase policy of herbs. The more the standard of living and incomes have increased, the more the concern of our health has been raised. This social phenomenon has affected on the food& beverage industry. The food& beverage industry of Korea has been already reorganized like the ones in developed countries in the early 21st century. Consumers are particular choosing their beverages; they concern their health, convenience, and taste more than ever. We had selected several herbal medicines contained in functional drink, and investigated the mechanism in field of oriental medicine and pharmacology.

The Early Childhood Care and Education Policy in the United Kingdom and Similar Policies in Korea : A Comparison of the Sure Start Children's Centres and Dream Start (영국의 영유아 보육정책 및 한국의 유사정책 현황 : Sure Start Children's Centres와 Dream Start 비교)

  • Lee, Yeon Jung;Bahn, Geon Ho;Lee, Soyoung Irene;Kim, Bongseog;Bhang, Soo-Young;Sohn, Seok Han;Yang, Jaewon;Lee, So Hee;Chung, Un-Sun;Joung, Yoo-Sook;Hong, Minha;Hwang, Jun-Won
    • Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.12-21
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    • 2015
  • In an effort to expand working opportunities for women and encourage childbirth, the government of Korea introduced the free infant care policy in 2013. This policy, however, was controversial with regard to issues, such as budget shortages and dissatisfaction based on socioeconomic status. In addition, the lack of evidence-based data regarding adequate age criteria for the entry of children into childcare facilities was noted as a challenge. As child development professionals who are concerned with mental health issues, we investigated the influence and challenges of the free infant care policy with regard to infant mental health. In this review, we examined the policies enacted by developed countries, such as the United Kingdom (UK), and compared them with those in Korea. The childcare systems in Korea and the UK differ historically and socially, but show some similarities, such as maternal responsibility for parenting and household issues. Like Korea, the need for UK childcare facilities increased in the 1990's in response to market recovery and associated increase in female employment. Among the new policies in the UK, the Sure Start program has begun to provide integrated services for infants, particularly to those 0-4 years of age, who are vulnerable to social exclusion. Similar to the Dream Start program in Korea, it has been successful in providing family-related services, resulting in improvements in problematic behaviors of children, enhanced parenting skills, and decreased rates of severely injured children.

Upgrading of Quality Control for Herbal Medicine Use in South Korea by Introducing an Accreditation System: a brief report

  • Soo-Hyun Sung
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.270-276
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    • 2024
  • Objectives: This study aimed to present a government-led accreditation system for upgrading the quality control of herbal medicine by introducing the process and evaluation standard of external herbal dispensaries (EHDs) of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinics in South Korea 2018 to refer to other countries where herbal medicine were used similarly in Korea. Development Process: We organized an EHD accreditation committee for the establishment of an accreditation system. The committee consisted of 9 experts: an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW), a professor expert of TKM, a good manufacturing practice expert, a hazard analysis and critical control point expert, and an accreditation system expert. After 3 meetings, a draft of the evaluation standard and evaluation system was established in 2017. Based on the draft, a pilot test was conducted to determine the applicability of the evaluation standards in 2017. Two additional meeting was held to confirm the accreditation standards and was finalized in 2018. Results: The evaluation standard for EHDs was developed. In the case of herbal medicine EHDs, the evaluation standard consisted of 9 evaluation categories, 25 evaluation parts, and 81 evaluation items were developed. The results of the evaluation of the pilot tests are as follows, and the results show that there is a deviation between the EHDs. Conclusion: As a world's first, Korea MoHW successfully launched the accreditation system for upgrading the quality control system of herbal medicine not approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2018. Our report hope to provide a good reference to other countries where having similar herbal medicine system in South Korea hoping to make better quality control of herbal medicines.

Development of a Family Nursing Model for Prevention of Cancer and Other Noncommunicable Diseases through an Appreciative Inquiry

  • Jongudomkarn, Darunee;Macduff, Colin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.23
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    • pp.10367-10374
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    • 2015
  • Background: Cancer and non-communicable diseases are a major issue not only for the developed but also developing countries. Public health and primary care nursing offer great potential for primary and secondary prevention of these diseases through community and family-based approaches. Within Thailand there are related established educational curricula but less is known about how graduate practitioners enact ideas in practice and how these can influence policy at local levels. Aim: The aim of this inquiry was to develop family nursing practice in primary care settings in the Isaan region or Northeastern Thailand and to distill what worked well into a nursing model to guide practice. Materials and Methods: An appreciative inquiry approach involving analysis of written reports, focus group discussions and individual interviews was used to synthesize what worked well for fourteen family nurses involved in primary care delivery and to build the related model. Results: Three main strategies were seen to offer a basis for optimal care delivery, namely: enacting a participatory action approach mobilizing families' social capital; using family nursing process; and implementing action strategies within communities. These were distilled into a new conceptual model. Conclusions: The model has some features in common with related community partnership models and the World Health Organization Europe Family Health Nurse model, but highlights practical strategies for family nursing enactment. The model offers a basis not only for planning and implementing family care to help prevent cancer and other diseases but also for education of nurses and health care providers working in communities. This articulation of what works in this culture also offers possible transference to different contexts internationally, with related potential to inform health and social care policies, and international development of care models.

Provisional National Nutrition Targets and Strategies for Health Promotion of Koreans (국민건강증진을 위한 영양 부문의 2000년 잠정목표와 전략)

  • 김혜련
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.161-177
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    • 1996
  • This study attempts to propose a priority of national nutrition targets and strategies for health promotion by the year 2000 in Korea, as a part of the task set for national health promotion objectives and strategies. Among all of the important health issues raised, ten were chosen, nutrition was one priority area. In the first part, the current status of the nutrition-related health problems and risk factors are reviewed, in conjunction with the newly arisen health phenomena, such as changes in prevalence of lifestyle disease and causes of death, changes of food consumption patterns in our country. In the second section this study suggests six feasible national nutrition targets, eight implementing strategies and current major tasks on the basis of the assessment of present status and in consideration of the other health promotion goals and strategies, with reference to that of other developed countries. The main targets and strategies are suggested as follows ; Firstly, the national nutrition monitoring and surveillance system should be established for identifying the nutritional problems for our people, and current National Nutrition Survey is a strong need for improvement to a more comprehensive and reliable one. Secondly, effective administrative mechanism should be operation at national level for the development of nutrition policy. Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) as well as local health department must be remarkably renewed and strengthened the nutrition section. And it is recommended that MOHW organize and operate “The Council of Nutrition”, in which all government authorities related with foodstuffs and nutrition would incorporated. The Council of Nutrition would act as an adjustor as well as a coordinator in nutrition related policy-making. Thirdly, healthy eating pattern will be supported by activities of introducing a nutrition labeling for providing consumers with the necessary information and skills for food selection. Fourthly, nutrition education, and nutrition intervention programs will be carried out in various settings such as health centers, schools, and clinical fields and workplace. Fifthly, the current dietary guidelines shall be continuously improved in detail, and publicly circulated to particular levels of people by age group and by health condition. And finally, researches and epidemiological studies particularly in regard to diet for development of chronic diseases are needed for more investigation and up-to-date national health and nutrition data should be collected with the support and cooperation from the various medical professional teams . (Korean J Community Nutrition 1(2) : 161-177, 1996)

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Cancer Risk Factors in Korean News Media: a Content Analysis

  • Kye, Su Yeon;Kwon, Jeong Hyun;Kim, Yong-Chan;Shim, Minsun;Kim, Jee Hyun;Cho, Hyunsoon;Jung, Kyu Won;Park, Keeho
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.731-736
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    • 2015
  • Background: Little is known about the news coverage of cancer risk factors in Korea. This study aimed to examine how the news media encompasses a wide array of content regarding cancer risk factors and related cancer sites, and investigate whether news coverage of cancer risk factors is congruent with the actual prevalence of the disease. Materials and Methods: A content analysis was conducted on 1,138 news stories covered during a 5-year period between 2008 and 2012. The news stories were selected from nationally representative media in Korea. Information was collected about cancer risk factors and cancer sites. Results: Of various cancer risk factors, occupational and environmental exposures appeared most frequently in the news. Breast cancer was mentioned the most in relation to cancer sites. Breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancer were overrepresented in the media in comparison to incidence and mortality cases, whereas lung, thyroid, liver, and stomach cancer were underrepresented. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this research is the first investigation dealing with news coverage about cancer risk factors in Korea. The study findings show occupational and environmental exposures are emphasized more than personal lifestyle factors; further, more prevalent cancers in developed countries have greater media coverage, not reflecting the realities of the disease. The findings may help health journalists and other health storytellers to develop effective ways to communicate cancer risk factors.

A study of how to guarantee an income policy for old people in an aging society (고령화 사회의 노인 소득보장정책에 관한 연구)

  • Kim Jae-Wan
    • Management & Information Systems Review
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    • v.16
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    • pp.139-159
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    • 2005
  • In many countries the demographics clearly informs us that an aging population represent a serious problem. To this extent senior citizens welfare does matter it has developed into a public debate and genuine concern. it seems that the social issues are focused on how the socity views the social welfare policies. In a modern welfare state where the emphasis lies in pursing a high standard of living and thereby high quality of life. This does not cover the very well the old people in society, but the government clearly carries an obligation to look after and care for the retired & old people in the society. This obligation the social and economic impact that an old person faces as he/she grows old. it is important ensure that their lives carries a meaning and that they as a group will not be estranged from the mainstream of society just because they are considered to be part of the aging population. The key issues that must be addressed are 1) The impact of reduced spending power from less income. a lower income stream; 2) increasing health problems and costs; 3) the natural degradation of ones physical & mental powers; 4) and thereby an isolation from the public in general. So clearly the social policy related to the old people in society should be developed with the consent of what they believe is important to them. To ensure their minimum income level that a beneficiary of an old person's pension will receive, the monthly pension should be reflected by the official price index and be adjusted accordingly. by making the job market open for the senior citizens, expending the mandatory retirement age, give companiesincentives to hire senior citizens, there maybe an opportunity to extend to the aging population the possibility to continue to participate in the society at large.

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Necessity for a National Carcinogen List in Korea, Based on International Harmonization

  • Leem, Jong Han;Kim, Hwan Cheol;Park, Myungsook;Kim, Jung Ae;Kim, Shin-Bum;Ha, Mina;Lim, Min-Kyeong;Kim, Jeongseon;Park, Eun Young;Paek, Domyung
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.28
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    • pp.8.1-8.5
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    • 2013
  • Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Korea for the last 30 years. Cancer patients' 5-year survival rate between 2005 and 2009 was 62.0%, representing a highly advanced standard of care, as much as developed countries in the EU and the US. The Korean government formulated its first 10-year plan for cancer control in 1996 and has been carrying out a second 10-year plan for cancer control since 2006. But despite the Korean government's efforts, the cancer burden in Korea continues to increase. Many separate laws have gone into effect concerning the management of carcinogen exposure. However, there are no integrated regulatory laws or management systems against carcinogen exposure in Korea. Dead zones remain where carcinogen exposure cannot be controlled properly in Korea. In this paper, we suggest the need to establish a national carcinogen list based on international harmonization as a prerequisite for a paradigm shift in cancer control policy from treatment to primary prevention.