PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.19 No.10, March 19, 2026 Article TypeQuickStatsReview & Perspective

• Review & Perspective 2026-03-19

  0 61 10

  Operational Overview and Implementation Challenges of Misokkumteo, a National Tuberculosis Care Facility (2011–2024)

  An-Yeol Lee , Jin-Hwan Jeon , Soonryu Seo , Seung Eun Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(10): 435-452 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.10.1

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Objectives: Homeless individuals form a vulnerable group for tuberculosis and require comprehensive, continuous patient care and support. This report describes the characteristics, treatment outcomes, and postdischarge support of residents at Misokkumteo, the only long-term tuberculosis care and support facility for homeless individuals in the Republic of Korea.
  Methods: A total of 458 residents were included, all admitted between 2011 and 2024. Their general characteristics, length of stay, treatment outcomes, and self-reliance after discharge were identified using facility records and follow-up data.
  Results: Of the total number of residents, 99.3% were male, and their mean age was 53 years. The average length of stay was 196 days, and the treatment success rate was 94.9%. Residents received health education and counseling on disease management and treatment adherence, including direct observation therapy, medical and social welfare linkage services, rehabilitation, and vocational support. Following their discharge, housing support, employment linkage, and social welfare enrollment were provided.
  Conclusions: Misokkumteo contributed to maintaining the continuum of care and supporting social reintegration among homeless tuberculosis patients. The expansion of community-based treatment support and financial assistance for comorbidity management is needed.

• Review & Perspective 2026-03-19

  0 20 6

  The Tuberculosis Relief Belt Project in the Republic of Korea: A 10-Year Review of Performance and Future Directions (2014–2024)

  Younghyun Kim , Jin-Hwan Jeon , Arang Back , Ah yeon Han , Joon-Sung Joh , You jin Jang , Soonryu Seo , Seung Eun Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(10): 453-468 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.10.2

  

  

  Abstract

  Full Text Cite Share

  Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the Tuberculosis (TB) Relief Belt Project (2014–2024) and proposes sustainable operational strategies by reviewing its role as a public health safety net and its policy impact.
  Methods: The project’s implementation status, beneficiary characteristics, support case numbers, and institutional improvements were analyzed using annual reports, institutional performance data, policy research reports, and relevant academic literature from 2014 to 2024.
  Results: The TB Relief Belt Project expanded from four participating institutions in 2014 to 17 by 2024. During this expansion, the project consistently provided comprehensive, integrated services to vulnerable patients with TB, including medical expenses coverage, caregiving costs, transportation fees, nutritional support, and referral treatment costs. Notably, the number of cases receiving medical expense support increased substantially, from 31 in 2014 to 589 in 2024.
  Conclusions: Although the overall prevalence of TB is declining, vulnerable patients requiring support through the TB Relief Belt Project has continued to rise in number. This trend is attributable to the growth of economically disadvantaged populations, intensified outreach projects since 2019, and the expansion of eligibility for medical expense support following the introduction of the TB patient vulnerability assessment in 2022. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the project’s sustainability and effectiveness by expanding into nonparticipating regions, strengthening engagement at existing institutions, and increasing project publicity.

• QuickStats 2026-03-19

  0 53 7

  Trend in the Rate of Limited Oral Function, 2015–2024

  Seungyeon Wi

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(10): 469-470 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.10.3

  

  

  Full Text Cite Share