Surveillance Reports
Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable infectious disease that can be effectively cured with appropriate antituberculosis treatment. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of TB cases notified in 2025 and to provide evidence to support national TB control policy development and evaluation.
Methods: The epidemiological status of TB in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was assessed using raw data on notified TB cases obtained from the “Annual Report on the Notified Tuberculosis in the ROK, 2024” and the 2025 Integrated Infectious Disease Control Information System of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. TB incidence rates were calculated using the mid-year resident population, with foreign residents included as appropriate denominators.
Results: In 2025, a total of 17,070 TB cases were notified (33.5 cases per 100,000 population), representing a 4.9% decrease (874 cases) compared with 2024 (17,944 cases; 35.2 cases per 100,000 population). Despite this decline, the disease burden remained concentrated among older adults, with 10,669 cases reported in individuals aged ≥65 years. Among TB cases, the number of foreign residents decreased by 2.6% to 1,049 in 2025, from 1,077 in 2024.
Conclusions: Since the peak in 2011 (50,941 TB cases), TB notifications have declined by 66.2%, with an average annual reduction of 7.5%. However, the current incidence remains above the target established in the Third National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control. Achieving this target will require expanded proactive screening among high-risk populations, including older adults and foreign residents, strengthened early detection and linkage to treatment, and further optimization of the TB control system. These efforts are expected to enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of national TB control strategies.
Methods: The epidemiological status of TB in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was assessed using raw data on notified TB cases obtained from the “Annual Report on the Notified Tuberculosis in the ROK, 2024” and the 2025 Integrated Infectious Disease Control Information System of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. TB incidence rates were calculated using the mid-year resident population, with foreign residents included as appropriate denominators.
Results: In 2025, a total of 17,070 TB cases were notified (33.5 cases per 100,000 population), representing a 4.9% decrease (874 cases) compared with 2024 (17,944 cases; 35.2 cases per 100,000 population). Despite this decline, the disease burden remained concentrated among older adults, with 10,669 cases reported in individuals aged ≥65 years. Among TB cases, the number of foreign residents decreased by 2.6% to 1,049 in 2025, from 1,077 in 2024.
Conclusions: Since the peak in 2011 (50,941 TB cases), TB notifications have declined by 66.2%, with an average annual reduction of 7.5%. However, the current incidence remains above the target established in the Third National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control. Achieving this target will require expanded proactive screening among high-risk populations, including older adults and foreign residents, strengthened early detection and linkage to treatment, and further optimization of the TB control system. These efforts are expected to enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of national TB control strategies.
Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(16): 693-710
Policy Notes
Objectives: The Korea National Health Surveys provide important evidence for health policy development and evaluation. Amid healthcare environments and emerging health challenges, there is a growing need to utilize survey findings more efficiently and strategically. This study examines patterns of policy utilization and derives recommendations to strengthen national health surveys as effective surveillance systems.
Methods: Policy-use cases for national health surveys in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and other countries were identified from the literature and official policy documents and websites. Cases were classified by policy type (strategies/plans, guidelines, legislation, and programs) and purpose (agenda/background, target and population specification, implementation monitoring, and effect evaluation). Additionally, demand surveys were conducted at the national and regional levels, and the findings were synthesized to develop evidence-based recommendations.
Results: We analyzed 84 domestic and 259 international policy-use cases. Legislation was the most frequent policy type in both the ROK and other countries. In the ROK, policy use was primarily concentrated in implementation monitoring. Demand surveys indicated a high level of policy contributions and highlighted the need for more timely indicators, disaggregated outputs, and stronger visualization and platform functions.
Conclusions: Expanding policy utilization requires strengthening survey systems, building infrastructure for data linkage, automation, and informatization, and reinforcing legal/institutional support as well as interagency collaboration. In addition, systematic management and public reporting of survey-based policy achievements, along with continued reflection of field needs, are essential to establish an effective feedback mechanism.
Methods: Policy-use cases for national health surveys in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and other countries were identified from the literature and official policy documents and websites. Cases were classified by policy type (strategies/plans, guidelines, legislation, and programs) and purpose (agenda/background, target and population specification, implementation monitoring, and effect evaluation). Additionally, demand surveys were conducted at the national and regional levels, and the findings were synthesized to develop evidence-based recommendations.
Results: We analyzed 84 domestic and 259 international policy-use cases. Legislation was the most frequent policy type in both the ROK and other countries. In the ROK, policy use was primarily concentrated in implementation monitoring. Demand surveys indicated a high level of policy contributions and highlighted the need for more timely indicators, disaggregated outputs, and stronger visualization and platform functions.
Conclusions: Expanding policy utilization requires strengthening survey systems, building infrastructure for data linkage, automation, and informatization, and reinforcing legal/institutional support as well as interagency collaboration. In addition, systematic management and public reporting of survey-based policy achievements, along with continued reflection of field needs, are essential to establish an effective feedback mechanism.
Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(16): 711-734
Policy Notes
Objectives: This study aims to describe the legal basis and operational framework of a pan-government interagency committee that supports the introduction of vaccines during emerging infectious disease pandemics and examine the institutional implications of the Prime Minister’s directive.
Methods: As a policy report on regulatory enactment, we reviewed the key provisions of the “Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Pan-government Interagency Committee for Vaccine Introduction,” enacted on January 7, 2026, after interministerial consultations, public notice, and legal review.
Results: The directive states that when a crisis alert of “Alert” or higher is issued under the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety, an interagency committee is convened within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Chaired by the KDCA Commissioner, senior officials from relevant ministries coordinate for vaccine supply planning, regulatory information sharing, global supply monitoring, and ministry-specific action plans. The directive also provides for a working-level committee, interagency cooperation requests, and consultation with external experts.
Conclusions: By formalizing interministerial coordination for vaccine introduction, the directive creates an institutional platform that can support sustained preparedness and policy continuity in future infectious disease emergencies.
Methods: As a policy report on regulatory enactment, we reviewed the key provisions of the “Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Pan-government Interagency Committee for Vaccine Introduction,” enacted on January 7, 2026, after interministerial consultations, public notice, and legal review.
Results: The directive states that when a crisis alert of “Alert” or higher is issued under the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety, an interagency committee is convened within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Chaired by the KDCA Commissioner, senior officials from relevant ministries coordinate for vaccine supply planning, regulatory information sharing, global supply monitoring, and ministry-specific action plans. The directive also provides for a working-level committee, interagency cooperation requests, and consultation with external experts.
Conclusions: By formalizing interministerial coordination for vaccine introduction, the directive creates an institutional platform that can support sustained preparedness and policy continuity in future infectious disease emergencies.
Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(16): 735-743
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