PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.17 No.48, December 12, 2024 Article TypePolicy NotesQuickStatsReview & PerspectiveSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2024-12-12

  1 183 25

  Health Behavior and Chronic Disease Management Status in the Chungcheong Region: The Results of 2023 Korea Community Health Survey

  Eunseong Kim , Sung Hyun Kang , Yeon Hwa Choi *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2077-2094 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Using the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey, this study verified and summarized healthcare-related indicators including health behaviors, chronic disease morbidity, and management status in the Chungcheong region (Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam). Based on this, we identified health vulnerability indicators such as current smoking rate, current smoking rate of males, monthly drinking rate, high-risk drinking rate, obesity rate (self-reported), diabetes diagnosis experience rate, and stress awareness rate in the Chungcheong region in 2023. Regarding the seven health vulnerability indicators in 2023, the current smoking rate and current smoking rate of males were 22.2% and 39.2%, respectively. The monthly drinking rate and high-risk drinking rate were 59.2% and 14.4%, respectively. The obesity rate (self-reported) and diabetes diagnosis rate were 34.0% and 9.8%, respectively. The stress awareness rate was 27.9%. It is hoped that these data can be used as basic data for exploring intervention projects for chronic disease prevention and management in consideration of local characteristics.

• Review & Perspective 2024-12-12

  0 1537 214

  Concept of Digital Health Literacy: A Scoping Review

  Junghee Yoon , Mangyeong Lee , Juhee Cho

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2095-2133 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Digital health literacy (DHL) has become important for individuals to take on the responsibility to manage their health for chronic disease. However, few studies have investigated what is DHL and its associated factors. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to to address the above knowledge gaps, and to identify the concept of DHL designed to counter these impacts for clinical application. A systematic review was conducted of studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science from January 2011 to October 2019 using PRISMA-ScR guideline. Articles eligible for inclusion focused on the conceptualization of DHL or electronic health (eHealth) literacy (EHL) including new digital health technologies, and clinical application reported on factors of DHL and Included newly developed measurement instruments referred to as DHL, and EHL including new digital health technologies. In 26 studies, various terms and definitions of DHL were used, and most articles described a concept of eHealth literacy as e-Health focused the use of information communication technologies. We defined 3 thematic categories as DHL: 1) advanced health literacy, 2) digital skills-based and multidimensional literacy and 3) others consisting of internal or external factors for the users’ engagement in digital health. The findings from our study confirm that the basic approaches of DHL share the same scope with health literacy, but DHL included a broader context and new concepts such as technology-related ability. This study provides an integrated perspective on the status and influencing factors of DHL.

• Review & Perspective 2024-12-12

  0 392 61

  Application and Significance of Wastewater-based Pathogen Monitoring in Infectious Disease Surveillance: Insights from International Case Studies

  Jeong Hyun Lee , Hye Jin Park , Hwajung Yi , Yoon-Seok Chung *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2134-2146 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.3

  Abstract

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  Wastewater-based monitoring of pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged as a highly effective tool for infectious disease surveillance systems. Wastewater surveillance systems can detect emerging infectious diseases or new viral variants in a community earlier than hospital-based clinical surveillance systems, thereby preventing the spread of infections. In particular, it provides a foundation for rapid response to variants with higher transmissibility and virulence. This study aims to examine how wastewater-based pathogen surveillance can be applied to monitor pathogen mutations through case studies from various countries worldwide. Moreover, wastewater surveillance is more cost-effective than mass testing in areas with low clinical testing rates and large populations. Genomic analysis of wastewater can detect several pathogens that may not be captured by clinical surveillance, thereby providing critical information for predicting the emergence of potential variants. In conclusion, wastewater-based pathogen surveillance is a valuable tool in public health management to respond to infectious diseases. It enables the monitoring of infectious disease spread and pathogen mutation trends. In addition, it can function as an early warning system through the analysis of wastewater from communities.

• Policy Notes 2024-12-12

  0 206 37

  Introduction to the Research Results of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Big Data (K-COV-N) and the Corresponding Utilization Plan

  Hyeryeon Lee , Suhyeon Choi , Eunjin Eom , Gyeong Hee Song , Seong Sun Kim *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2147-2159 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.4

  Abstract

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  As part of the effort to establish a scientific basis for quarantine policies aimed at responding to new infectious diseases based on the experience of responding to coronavirus disease 2 019 (COVID-19), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and National Health Insurance Service promoted the establishment of health information big data and signed a business agreement (April 29, 2021). The big data created by combining the KDCA’s COVID-19 confirmed cases and vaccination data with the National Health Insurance Service’s national health information are known as K-COV-N (KDCA Covid-19 NHIS cohort). The big data constructed were opened to the private sector through the National Health Insurance Service’s open platform to promote private research. A cumulative total of 211 cases have been approved since the opening of COVID-19 big data from April 2022 until October 2, 2024, and a total of 30 papers have been published in international journals. The main contents were research results such as COVID-19 infection risk factors, vaccination effects, and long COVID. In addition, after the opening of big data, we held workshops on practical networking for utilizing COVID-19 big data to share analyses and techniques for utilizing the data. Additionally, we established a public-private data analysis network to promote exchanges between practitioners. In addition, we are contributing to the activation of private research by expanding ties with the National Cancer Center and health-information-holding organizations. Accordingly, the KDCA plans to continue opening up infectious disease-related information to develop evidence-based quarantine policies and support expert decision-making.

• Policy Notes 2024-12-12

  0 357 14

  Guide to Strict Quarantine Inspection Required Area and Quarantine Inspection Required Area in the Second Half of 2024

  Seung-Ho Kim *, Seung-Hyuk Kim , Ok-Soo Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2160-2173 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.5

  

  

  Abstract

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  To prevent the introduction and spread of overseas infectious diseases in the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has designated areas in which quarantinable infectious diseases are prevalent or may become prevalent as quarantine inspection areas or similar areas under Article 5 of the Quarantine Act, and individuals entering ROK from these areas undergo quarantine. Here, we introduce the newly added quarantinable infectious diseases in the second half of 2024 and quarantine inspection areas or similar areas that were changed and implemented from September 1, 2024.

• QuickStats 2024-12-12

  0 39 21

  Trends in the Prevalence of Perceived Depressive Symptoms among Korean Adolescents, 2014–2023

  Public Health Weekly Report 2024; 17(48): 2174-2175 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.48.6

  

  

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