PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.20, May 22, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesPolicy NotesQuickStats

• Original Articles 2025-05-22

  0 279 159

  Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in the Republic of Korea, 2023

  Jaetae Kim , Soon-Young Seo , Young-Joon Park *, You-Jin Jang , Heejung Han , Miri Jang , Hyungjun Kim , Jin-Hwan Jeon , Ahyoung Park , Jiyeon Han , Chieeun Song , Jieun Kim , Jinsun Kim , Hyewon Lee , Seongju Choi , Jiae Shim , Sunmi Han , Youngseok Park , Hyeran Jeong , Hyeongyu Kim , Soonryu Seo , Seung-Eun Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(20): 735-753 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.20.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: To monitor the management of patients with tuberculosis (TB), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency first published the “2023 Tuberculosis Treatment Outcome Report” in 2025. This report analyzes treatment outcomes based on these patients’ clinical and demographic characteristics, serving as a reference for experts and policymakers. This study summarizes the key findings of the 2023 report.
  Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea Tuberculosis Network System, including TB notification reports and case investigation forms. Treatment outcomes were determined by chronologically linking reports from treatment initiation to completion. The final outcome in the most recent notification was used to analyze treatment outcomes.
  Results: In 2023, the treatment success rate (TSR) for patients with drug-susceptible TB was 79.3% and decreased with age. The TSR among national health insurance beneficiaries was higher than that of receiving medical aid recipients, and the TSR for new patients was higher than for those previously treated for TB. In 2022, the TSR for patients with multidrug-resistant TB was 72.4% and also decreased with age, primarily due to an increase in deaths.
  Conclusions: Patients more vulnerable to treatment challenges, such as older adults, tend to have lower TSRs. As the number of older patients with TB increases, non-TB-related deaths are also expected to increase, potentially limiting future improvements in TSR. Still, the government will continue to strengthen support policies, such as those promoting medication adherence and treatment continuation, to help vulnerable patients successfully complete their TB treatment.

• Policy Notes 2025-05-22

  0 359 153

  History of National Hansen’s Disease Control Policy

  Soo-Jin Park , Jang-Ho Park , Young-Joon Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(20): 754-768 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.20.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study aimed to present key policies for national Hansen’s disease management, evaluate past achievements and limitations, and provide foundational data for future policy development.
  Methods: A literature review of Hansen’s disease management was undertaken, utilizing the established guidelines for its management in the writing process.
  Results: In 2024, five new instances of Hansen’s disease were documented among foreigners, and the total number of individuals eligible for Hansen’s disease programs was reported as 7,135. These individuals had an average age of 80.9 years, with 73.5% experiencing disabilities from Hansen’s disease. The national Hansen’s disease management policy has been implemented in three areas: (1) early detection and prevention of transmission, (2) treatment and recurrence prevention, and (3) welfare and social rehabilitation support.
  Conclusions: Our country achieved the World Health Organization goal of eliminating Hansen’s disease (prevalence: less than 1 per 10,000 people) in 1982 through government and private sector efforts and it has remained at that level ever since. To sustain elimination measures, efforts will be made to strengthen early detection and healthcare professional capabilities, along with tailored medical and welfare programs for individuals with Hansen’s disease management.

• QuickStats 2025-05-22

  0 227 137

  International Comparison of Daily Smokers, with OECD Countries in 2022

  Doyeon Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(20): 769-770 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.20.3

  

  

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