PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.16 No.21, June 01, 2023 Article TypeOriginal ArticlesQuickStatsReview & Perspective

• Original Articles 2023-06-01

  2 1136 367

  2022 National Public Awareness Survey on Health Impacts of Climate Change

  Joo-Yeon Hwang, JongHee Kim, Ho-Jang Kwon, Seoung-Sik Hwang, Hyoeun Kim, Seongwoo Park, Youngju Lee, Younjhin Ahn

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(21): 635-651 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.21.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency operates a Climate Health Impact Assessment every five years and publishes the results to minimize the damage to public health caused by climate change. An online structured survey was administered in the first study which investigated public awareness regarding the impact of climate change on public health. There was a high level of interest concerning about climate change (87.4%). However, awareness of the health risks caused by climate change (63.2%) and the 1st Climate Health Impact Assessment (9.1%) was low, and differences in awareness by sex and age were confirmed. In addition, we confirmed the public demand for climate health information, areas of interest, and preferred media. However, we found that the related information was inadequate (30.3%). Further, we plan to develop more actionable and sustainable evidence-based contents through in-depth comparative research. We must pay more attention to raising public awareness and improving health literacy on climate change.

• Review & Perspective 2023-06-01

  0 2361 273

  Trends in Intervention Research for Reducing Health Effects of Particulate Matter

  Eunjin Kwon, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Young Youl Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(21): 652-664 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.21.2

  Abstract

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  Air pollution, especially particulate matter ( PM), is one of the major public health risk factors. More than 91% of the global population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. WHO estimated that air pollution is responsible for approximately 4.2 million deaths every year. PM has serious effects on health outcomes (especially in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and all-cause morbidity). However, there are few intervention studies on the reduction of PM-exposure related health effects. Currently, air purifiers, masks, behavior and other interventions, diet and medications are the recommended interventions for reducing the effect of PM on health; however, scientific evidence for the effects of these interventions are lacking. Here, we review the intervention studies on PM and aim to identify the recent research trends. Using air purifiers significantly lowered the concentration of PM, resulting in a decrease in inflammation and blood pressure. Similarly, wearing a mask showed changes in lung function and blood pressure; however, there was no remarkable changes in the effects on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, intervention studies are limited and more research is needed.

• QuickStats 2023-06-01

  1 1182 310

  Occurrence of Drowning Accidents

  Public Health Weekly Report 2023; 16(21): 665-668 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2023.16.21.3

  

  

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