Comparison of the Self-rated Health Status of Wage Workers in Korea according to Income Index by Gender / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to find differences that reflect the magnitude of health disparities in wage workers in Korea according to income index(personal income, household income, equivalized income) by gender. METHODS: Data was obtained from the 11th wave of Korean Labor and Income Panel Survey in 2008. This study analyzed 4,205 subjects(2,570 males and 1,635 females) aged 19-65 years. To compare the health effects of each income index by gender, unconditional multiple logistic regression, health-related behaviors, and working conditions were used. The unconditional multiple logistic regression was adjusted by socio-demographic characteristics. All statistics were estimated using SAS survey procedures. RESULTS: According to unconditional multiple logistic regression, significant differences in ORs between men and women were observed in this study for those wage workers who self-rated their health status to be poor. This was consistent between each income index. Men had an OR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.28~2.43) by personal income, 1.70 (95%CI, 1.25~2.32) by household income and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.23~2.31) by equivalized income. Women had an 2.09 (95% CI, 1.47~2.97) by household income and OR of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.36~2.79) by equivalized income, but personal income did not have a significant effect on OR for women. CONCLUSIONS: The study of occupational and environmental medicine should consider that each income index has different effects on the self-rated health status according to gender. Household income index and equivalized income index would represent a health status for women.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Occupational Lung Cancer in the Busan area / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of occupational lung cancer in the Busan area. METHODS: Occupational physicians of four university hospitals operating an occupational disease surveillance system in the Busan area actively interviewed all of the newly diagnosed, lung cancer cases about their characteristics and occupational histories through a survey questionnaire and chart review. To evaluate and agree on the work-relativity, the cases were presented in periodic meetings. RESULTS: A total of 301 lung cancer cases were interviewed, of which 50 (16.6%, all male, 27 probable and 23 possible) were related to occupational exposure. The exposure materials were asbestos, Cr, PAH etc. Pathologic findings included squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:The proportion of occupational lung cancer cases above the probable level was 9% and above the possible level was 17%. To develop the public health policy and to prevent further cancer death, the meaningful data from occupational cancer surveillance systems should be collected continuously for ongoing monitoring.