Review of the Incidence of Japanese Encephalitis in Foreign-Born and Korean Nationals Living in the Republic of Korea, 2007–2016

The Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine was introduced to the national immunization program in 1985, which has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of reported cases, but JE continues to occur in foreign nationals residing in or traveling to Korea. Although the incidence is low, this study demonstrated that more Koreans were infected with JE than foreign-born expatriates. The incidence rates of Korean-born nationals were between 0.01 and 0.08 cases per 100,000. In contrast, the incidence rates of foreign-born nationals ranged between 0 and 0.26 cases per 100,000. The incidence rates clearly showed that foreign-born expatriates were more at risk, which underscores the importance of vaccination. We recommend heightened surveillance among JE-susceptible individuals and promote vaccination among foreign-born nationals living in Korea.

Future directions of emergency healthcare policy in Korea

Emergency Medical Services, more commonly known as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), is a system that provides emergency medical care and public safety. EMS is infamous as a market failure, which cannot reach the break-even point financially due to operation of 24 hours and 365 days, and maintenance personnel. Thus, government's intervention is inevitable to balance the allocation of medical resources. Vulnerable area still exists for transport and patient care, and quality of EMS is behind the advanced countries. Furthermore, professionalism of 119 ambulance service is below par, also survival rate of cardiac arrest patient is low in Korea. To solve these problems, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to provide EMS within 30minutes by resolving of emergency vulnerable area for EMS. To improve quality of emergency medical centers, criteria of evaluation will be changed from structure to process and outcome. According to the result, differential financial support will be applied. To lower the preventable death rate as of advanced countries, 6 regional trauma centers will be run 24-hours operation for severe trauma patients. Professional education programs for emergency medical technician such as 119 providers will be reinforced. The quality management of medical consulting will be improved by appointment of medical consultants in 119 situation rooms. Also, medical safety for individuals suffering from sudden cardiac arrest will be provided in the place where large numbers of people gather by installing 1,000 Automatic External Defibrillator equipment every year.

Nationwide Cancer Incidence in Korea, 2003-2005 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To estimate the current cancer burden in Korea, newly diagnosed cancer cases and cancer incidence rates were calculated for the years 2003~2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cancer incidence cases and rates were calculated from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database. Crude and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated by gender for specified cancer sites in 5-year age groups. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2005, 398,824 cases of cancer were newly diagnosed in Korea (218,856 in men and 179,968 in women). For all sites combined, the crude incidence rate (CR) was 300.0 and 248.2 for men and women and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 297.0 and 191.2 per 100,000, respectively. Among men, five leading cancers were stomach (CR 66.0, ASR 64.2), lung (CR 48.5, ASR 50.3), liver (CR 44.9, ASR 42.1), colon and rectum (CR 37.9, ASR 37.2), and prostate cancer (CR 12.7, ASR 13.8). Among women, five leading cancers were breast (CR 37.3, ASR 29.0), thyroid (CR 36.2, ASR 28.8), stomach (CR 34.1, ASR 25.4), colon and rectum (CR 28.0, ASR 21.1), and lung cancer (CR 17.9, ASR 12.8). In the 0~14-year-old group, leukemia was the most common in both sexes; in the 15~34 group, the most common cancer was stomach cancer for men and thyroid cancer for women; in the 35~64 group, stomach cancer for men and breast cancer for women; among those 65 and over, lung cancer for men and stomach cancer, for women, respectively. CONCLUSION: The cancer incidence rates have increased in recent years, and more cancers are expected to develop as Korea is quickly becoming an aged society. The cancer incidence statistics in this report can be used as an important source to effectively plan and evaluate the cancer control program in Korea.

Clinical Availability of Maximal Step Length

BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.

Clinical Availability of Maximal Step Length

BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.

National Cancer Incidence for the Year 2002 in Korea / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Since the revised Cancer Act of October 2006, cancer registration was reactivated, based on the Statistics Law. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence of cancer during 2002 was calculated on the basis of the information available from the National Cancer Incidence Database. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated by gender for 18 age groups (0~4, 5~9, 10~14, every five years, 85 years and over). RESULTS: The overall crude incidence rates (CRs) were 269.2 and 212.8 per 100,000 for males and females, and the overall age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were 287.8 and 172.9 per 100,000, respectively. Among males, the five leading primary cancer sites were stomach (CR 62.4, ASR 65.7), lung (CR 45.4, ASR 51.0), liver (CR 43.2, ASR 43.7), colon and rectum (CR 30.7, ASR 32.7), and prostate (CR 8.0, ASR 9.6). Among females, the most common cancer sites were breast (CR 33.1, ASR 26.9), followed by stomach (CR 32.8, ASR 26.0), colon and rectum (CR 23.1, ASR 18.5), thyroid (CR 19.1, ASR 15.7), and uterine cervix (CR 18.2, ASR 14.7). In the 0~14 age group, leukemia was the most common cancer for both genders. For males, stomach cancer was the most common cancer in the 15~64 age-group, but lung cancer was more frequent in men 65 or older. For females, thyroid cancer among the 15~34 age-group, breast cancer among 35~64 age-group and stomach cancer in women 65 years or older were the most common forms of cancer for each age group. The quality indices for the percentage of deaths, by death certificate only, were 4.7% for males and 4.5% for females. CONCLUSIONS: Since the National Cancer Incidence Database was started, the annual percent change of cancer cases increased by 4.8% (4.1% for males, 5.7% for females) during 1999~2002. This value reflects the increase in prostate cancer for males and breast and thyroid cancer in females during 2002. The timely reporting of improved quality of cancer registration is needed for evidence-based decisions regarding cancer control in Korea.

Regional Variation in Accessing Regional Hospitals for Cancer Patients / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the differences in accessing regional hospitals and the utilization rate of hospitals located in other regions for cancer patients by regions. METHODS: Data for the utilization of regional hospitals for cancer patients were obtained from the Korean National Cancer Incidence Databases in 1999 and 2002. We divided the regions into 16 provinces by administrative districts. We using the SAS 9.1.3 to analyze difference of regional self-sufficiency and the Arcview 3.2 to show in a schematize for regional variation of the regional self-sufficiency. RESULTS: There were regional variations in the regional self-sufficiency of cancer patients. Especially, Jeollanam-do(1999 13.6%, 2002 12.8%), Gyeongsangbuk-do(1999 22.0%, 2002 20.7%), and Chungcheongnam-do(1999 27.8%, 2002 27.1%) had low regional self-sufficiency. The regional self-sufficiency in Gyeonggi-do and utilization rate of cancer patients who lived in other regions were increased between 1999 and 2002(regional self-sufficiency: 1999 37.2%, 2002 48.2%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that there were regional variation in utilization of regional hospitals for cancer patients. Accessibility of cancer patients in metropolitan areas was higher than in small size cities, medium size cities, and rural county areas. These results suggested that it should be considered support medical facilities for cancer patients in rural areas where have lower relevance rate.