PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.2, January 09, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesPolicy NotesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Original Articles 2025-01-09

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  Community Intervention to Improve Walking Practices Applying the Model of Social Determinants of Health

  Hyo Young Lee , Hyojun Ju , Hyojin Gu , Soo-Jung Park , Yu Jung Kim , Byung Gun Park , Hopyeong Hwang

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(2): 61-74 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.2.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  This study utilized the World Health Organization’s social determinants of health model to identify the causes of differences in walking practice rates between districts (‘gu’s) with the lowest and highest rates in Busan city. Based on these findings, an intervention strategy was developed to improve walking practice rates. A pilot project was then implemented to confirm its effectiveness in increasing walking practice rates. To identify the causes of the difference, various methods were applied. These included an integrated analysis of the Community Health Survey (2015–2020), the derivation of health profiles from various secondary data sources, a survey on walking environment and preferences, an analysis of related policies and projects, focus group interviews with experts and local residents, and field research using photovoice and observation. Based on this, the following interventions were made to improve the walking practice rate in the community: strengthening the capacity of health guardians and club members of village health centers; training instructors for walking practices; activating walking programs by walking applications; linking activities with other health programs; improving awareness of local residents by utilizing local festivals, welfare centers, rental housing complexes, etc.; enacting a walking promotion support ordinance; and publishing and promoting local good road guidebooks, booklets, and brochures on the health effects of walking practice. Thus, the walking practice rate was confirmed to have increased from 52.1% in 2022 to 59.2% in 2024.

• Surveillance Reports 2025-01-09

  2 550 54

  Characteristics of Notified Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales Cases in the Republic of Korea, 2023

  Hyunju Lee , Seungjae Lee , Yeon Hwa Jung , Jihyun Choi , Sook-kyung Park *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(2): 75-89 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.2.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections are increasing worldwide and have become a major public health threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a surge in CRE infections as healthcare facilities have prioritized COVID-19 infection control, making routine infection prevention and control more difficult.” and the World Health Organization estimated 4.95 million people deaths worldwide in 2019 due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The annual number of CRE infection cases has been increasing by about 20–30%. In 2023, an analysis of CRE infection reports revealed a total of 38,405 cases, with 55.4% of patients being male. Most cases (65.2%) occurred in individuals aged 70 years and older. Among healthcare facilities, general hospitals had the highest reporting rate at 43.3%. In particular, the number of CRE infection reports in long-term care hospitals and the proportion of total reports increased every year, from 1,077 cases (7.0%) in 2019 to 5,815 cases (15.1%) in 2023. The primary bacteria identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae (72.4%) and Escherichia coli (14.1%). Among CRE infections, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CP-CRE) infections accounted for 73.7% of all reported cases in 2023, with the proportion of CP-CRE infections steadily increasing every year. Therefore, this study analyzed CRE infection data reported through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency system from 2019 to 2023, thereby providing important insights for the development of effective infection prevention and management strategies.

• Policy Notes 2025-01-09

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  Implementation Plan for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for the 2024–2025 Season: Recommendations of the 6th Expert Committee on Immunization Practices

  Hyewook Hwang , Wookeon Lee , Seohyeon Ahn , Young-Sook Choi , Seunghyun Lewis Kwon , Dongwoo Lee , Eun Hwa Choi , SokGoo Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(2): 90-102 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.2.3

  

  

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  This paper summarizes the policy deliberations and conclusions regarding coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination for the 2024–2025 season, based on outcomes from the sixth meeting of the Expert Committee on Immunization Practices held on September 13, 2024. During the meeting, government officials and experts from various fields discussed implementation plans and guidelines in detail. A key topic was the vaccination strategy for high-risk children aged <12 years. The committee decided to adjust dose schedules and intervals based on age and prior vaccination history, recommending vaccine introduction through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s approval process. This decision is expected to provide a foundation for future national vaccination programs and enhance safety for high-risk groups.

• QuickStats 2025-01-09

  0 127 14

  Trends in the Proportion of People who Skipping Breakfast, 2014–2023

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(2): 103-104 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.2.4

  

  

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