PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.26, July 03, 2025 Article TypeQuickStatsSurveillance Report

• Surveillance Report 2025-07-03

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  Grades of Antibiotic Prescription Rates for Acute Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in the Republic of Korea in 2023 and Trends in Grade Changes from 2020 to 2023

  Shin-Young Lee , Seung-Hee Seo , Seung-Yun Kim , Na-Ri Shin

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(26): 955-973 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.26.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: In this study, we aimed to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics by analyzing antibiotic prescription rate grades for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) across healthcare institutions in the Republic of Korea. We also examined variations by institution type and region.
  Methods: This study used data from the pharmaceutical benefit appropriateness evaluation published on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website in 2023. Antibiotic prescription rate grades (Grades 1–5 and grade-exempt institutions) were analyzed according to healthcare institution type and region for acute URTIs and LRTIs. Additionally, changes in the prescription rate grades from 2020 to 2023 were compared.
  Results: In 2023, the overall proportion of Grades 1–5 among medical institutions was higher for acute LRTIs (65.0%) than for URTIs (55.8%). Tertiary hospitals had the highest proportion of Grade 1 levels for both infection types―94.7% for URTIs and 97.6% for LRTIs―and consistently maintained high grade levels (Grades 1 and 2) from 2020 to 2023. In contrast, clinics showed the highest proportion of lower grades (Grades 4 and 5) in 2023. Although regional variations among clinics was relatively small, the proportion of lower grades remained consistently high across regions.
  Conclusions: Antibiotic prescription grade distribution varied significantly according to the type of healthcare institution and region. Clinics, in particular, showed a need for improvement in antibiotic prescribing practices. Therefore, establishing tailored strategies that reflect the characteristics of infection and institution types and regions is necessary to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics. To this end, educational programs and guidelines that consider the varying levels of awareness regarding antibiotic use are essential.

• Surveillance Report 2025-07-03

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  Community Health Status in the Gyeongnam Regional Based on the Korea Community Health Survey Data 2024

  Yangwha Kang , Soo-Jung Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(26): 974-995 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.26.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study aimed to examine health behaviors, chronic diseases, and management status in the Gyeongnam region (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do). This investigation was conducted using data from the 2024 Community Health Survey, to identify regional disparities among cities, counties, and districts.
  Methods: To analyze health behaviors, chronic disease prevalence, and management status of residents in the Gyeongnam region, we utilized the statistical data published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in its “2024 Local Health Statistics at a Glance” report. Representative values were calculated as the medians of data collected from 41 cities, counties, and districts within the Gyeongnam region.
  Results: As of 2024, key health indicators such as the overall current smoking rate (17.7%), male current smoking rate (32.3%), walking practice rate (52.6%), moderate-to-high physical activity practice rate (27.6%), annual weight control attempt rate (64.5%), and recognition rate of early symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke (52.6% and 61.7%, respectively), were found to be favorable for the Gyeongnam region compared to national values. However, increases were observed in the monthly drinking rate (60.3%), obesity rate (34.0%), hypertension diagnosis rate (19.5% for those aged 30 and above), and diabetes diagnosis rate (9.0% for those aged 30 and above) compared to the previous year. These findings suggest the need for intervention through public health education programs and promotional efforts to improve these indicators. Additionally, health indicators that showed the greatest disparities among local governments within the Gyeongnam region were the walking practice rate (47.6 percentage points), myocardial infarction recognition rate (47.4 percentage points), and stroke recognition rate (40.5 percentage points), highlighting the necessity to reduce regional health disparities.
  Conclusions: Based on these results, intervention programs should be designed with due consideration for regional characteristics, prioritizing health indicators that require improvement. These findings are expected to serve as foundational materials for developing intervention programs to facilitate chronic disease prevention and management in the Gyeongnam region.

• QuickStats 2025-07-03

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  Trends in the Prevalence of Aerobic Physical Activity, 2014–2023

  Yangha Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(26): 996-997 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.26.3

  

  

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