The Burden of Acute Pesticide Poisoning and Pesticide Regulation in Korea

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to estimate the burden of acute pesticide poisoning and to determine its trend with recently implemented pesticide regulations. METHODS: Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were calculated as the sum of years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to acute pesticide poisoning using the methods of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The values of YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs were stratified by sex, age groups, intentionality of poisoning, and causative agents. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2014, DALYs decreased by 69% (from 69,550 to 21,742). The decreasing tendency of DALYs was especially marked from 2011. The total burden of acute pesticide poisoning was mainly caused by YLLs and intentional pesticide poisoning. The highest DALYs due to acute pesticide poisoning occurred in those in their 40s and 50s; however, the decreased rates of DALYs were higher in those aged 10–49 years than in those aged more than 50 years. Herbicides including paraquat contributed to the largest proportion of total DALYs. CONCLUSION: As this is the first study to quantify the burden of acute pesticide poisoning using DALYs, our results provide comprehensive evidence of the importance of using strict regulations to prevent public health hazards due to acute pesticide poisoning.

Health Performance and Challenges in Korea: a Review of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

The global burden of disease study (GBD) provides valuable information for evaluating population health in terms of disease burden. This study collected and reviewed GBD data in Korea for the year 1990 and 2013. The burdens of cancer, cardiovascular disease, communicable disease, and injuries have decreased remarkably, thereby greatly diminishing the overall disease burden on Korea. Meanwhile, the burdens due to non-fatal chronic diseases such as neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal disease became major burden contributors. Responding to this circumstance presents a complex challenge to the Korean health system and Korean health policy.

Review of Issues for Disability Weight Studies / 보건행정학회지

Summary measures of population health (SMPHs) have been used to estimate the burden of diseases. Among various type of SMPHs, disability adjusted life year (DALY) and healthy life expectancy (HALE) have been calculated in the global and national burden of disease studies. In order to calculate DALY and HALE, disability weight is an essential element. Disability weights quantify the level of disability for health states or diseases and have values between 0 (full health) to 1 (being dead). In this study, we reviewed the main disability weights studies and determined their meaning and limitations. Furthermore, we provided the whole process of typical disability weight study and reviewed key issues as follows: health state or disease description development, panel composition, valuation method, validation of disability weight, cross-cultural variability in health state or disease, and so on. The results from this study will be helpful to conduct future disability weight studies for adapting disability weights and developing new methodologies.

Metabolic Risk Profile and Cancer in Korean Men and Women / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Associations between metabolic syndrome and several types of cancer have recently been documented. METHODS: We analyzed the sample cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002, with a follow-up period extending to 2013. The cohort data included 99 565 individuals who participated in the health examination program and whose data were therefore present in the cohort database. The metabolic risk profile of each participant was assessed based on obesity, high serum glucose and total cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. The occurrence of cancer was identified using Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age group, smoking status, alcohol intake, and regular exercise. RESULTS: A total of 5937 cases of cancer occurred during a mean follow-up period of 10.4 years. In men with a high-risk metabolic profile, the risk of colon cancer was elevated (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.71). In women, a high-risk metabolic profile was associated with a significantly increased risk of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.42). Non-significantly increased risks were observed in men for pharynx, larynx, rectum, and kidney cancer, and in women for colon, liver, breast, and ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the previously suggested association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of several cancers. A high-risk metabolic profile may be an important risk factor for colon cancer in Korean men and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer in Korean women.