Epidemiology and Health

Characteristics of imported and domestic malaria cases in Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea
Hong S, Kim J, Jo SN, Kim JH, Park B and Choi BY
This study explored 11 years of malaria data from mandatory reporting in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, to provide information for prevention strategies by linkage to nationwide health claims data.
Importance of younger age group and high inflammatory status in the association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus
Lee H and Shin MH
Although previous studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal disease (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), the influence of age and the mediating role of inflammation have seldom been explored. This study investigated this association while considering the modifying effects of age and inflammatory status.
An outbreak of Clostridium perfringens infection on a training ship anchored in Busan, Korea
Kim S and Son H
In September 2023, an outbreak of food-borne disease occurred among students on a training ship docked in Busan. This was an epidemiological investigation with the aim of improving infection prevention activities and group meal service practices on board ships.
Effect of long-term blood pressure trajectory on the future development of chronic kidney disease: an analysis of data from the Korean National Insurance Health Checkup Study
Hwang W, Lee EJ, Park JH and Ahn SK
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent health issue that causes the irreversible loss of functioning nephrons, end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Hypertension is the leading cause of CKD. However, the effect of long-term blood pressure (BP) changes on the development of CKD is still unknown. Therefore, the current study investigated the association between BP trajectory and the future development of CKD.
Cohort study profile: a cohort of Korean atomic bomb survivors and their offspring
Lee H, Nam JW, Kim MK, Kim I, Kim YM and Park B
The Korean Atomic Bomb Survivor Cohort (K-ABC) study was designed to investigate the health impacts of atomic bomb exposure on Korean survivors and to explore whether these effects are passed down genetically to their descendants. This paper outlines the study's design, data collection methods, baseline sociodemographic characteristics, exposure status, and disease prevalence among the participants, based on survey responses and health examinations. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 2,544 individuals, comprising 1,109 atomic bomb survivors (G1), 1,193 children of G1 (G2), and 242 grandchildren of G1 (G3), consented to participate in the study. Of these, 1,828 participants (659 in G1, 927 in G2, and 242 in G3) completed the survey and underwent health examinations, representing a participation rate of 71.9%. Exposure information was gathered using a questionnaire and verified through records from the Korean Red Cross and a handbook issued by the Japanese government. Disease prevalence was determined based on participants' self-reported physician diagnoses. This study presents details about the K-ABC study and provides baseline data on the participants recruited. These data will be valuable for interpreting the results of future K-ABC studies.
Comment on "Mediating effect of lower extremity muscle on the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly women in Korea: based on the 2009-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey "
Chen J and Chen H
Association between the safety climate and occupational injury in the Korean working population: a cross-sectional study
Min J, Jang TW, Lee HE, Kang MY and Cho SS
Preventing occupational injuries remains a significant challenge in Korea. A positive safety climate can contribute to reducing workplace injuries. However, the impact of safety climate on preventing occupational injuries among the Korean workforce has not been adequately explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the perceived safety climate and occupational injuries within the Korean working population.
The prevention and response to infectious diseases in long-term care facilities in Korea: a nationwide survey
Na SH, Eom JS, Kim SB, Yoon HJ, Yoo SY, Cha KS, Choi JR, Choi JY, Han SH, Park JJ, Kim T and Lee J
Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are communal environments for patients with chronic diseases or older adults, making them particularly susceptible to significant harm during infectious disease outbreaks. Nonetheless, LTCFs have historically been subject to less stringent infection prevention and control (IPC) mandates. This study aimed to assess the current state of LTCFs and to develop an IPC system tailored for these facilities following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Sex-specific associations between dietary legume subtypes and type 2 diabetes in a prospective cohort study
Woo HW, Hong S, Shin MH, Koh SB, Kim HC, Kim YM and Kim MK
Dietary soy, known for its high phytoestrogen content, has been suggested to exhibit a sex-specific association with type 2 diabetes. However, evidence regarding the sex-specific associations of different legume subtypes with type 2 diabetes remains scarce. We aimed to evaluate whether habitual consumption of soy and non-soy legumes (beans and peanuts) was prospectively and sex-specifically associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes incidence, taking into considering significant sex-specific genetic factors beyond legume consumption.
Temporal trends in the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of cardiac amyloidosis in South Korea over 12 years
Choi YJ, Choi YJ, Lee JE, Choi JY, Cho GJ and Na JO
This study investigated the prevalence, incidence, and prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in South Korea.
Impact of body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio on mortality in middle-aged Koreans: A prospective cohort study based on a Health Examinees study
Cho S, Shin A, Choi JY, Lee JK and Kang D
We aimed to assess the impact of obesity on mortality in middle-aged Koreans using data from a Health Examinees study.
Causal association between serum bilirubin and ischemic stroke: multivariable Mendelian randomization
Shin JW, Jung KJ, Ryu M, Kim J, Kimm H and Jee SH
Previous research has predominantly focused on total bilirubin levels without clearly distinguishing between direct and indirect bilirubin. In this study, the differences between these forms were examined, and their potential causal relationships with ischemic stroke were investigated.
The associations of cardiovascular and lifestyle factors with mortality from chronic kidney disease as the underlying cause: the JACC study
Guo S, Sankai T, Yamagishi K, Kihara T, Tamakoshi A and Iso H
This study investigated conventional cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors affecting mortality from chronic kidney disease as the underlying cause in the general Japanese population.
Analyzing the dynamics of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Seoul, Korea: a multifaceted time series approach
Baek K and Park C
This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated control strategies on the incidence of appendicitis in Seoul, using data from 2018 to 2020 from Korea's National Health Insurance.
Homelessness and mortality: gender, age, and housing status inequity in Korea
Park GR, Jeong D, Lee SW, Sohn H, Kang YA and Choi H
We compared mortality rates among various housing statuses within the homeless population and investigated factors contributing to their deaths, including housing status, gender, and age.
Epidemic characteristics of measles and efforts to control measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China
Yan R, Yang M, He H, Feng Y, Zhou Y, Tang X, Deng X, Zhu Y, Du Y, Chen C, Kexin C, Yang S and
Several countries have successfully eliminated measles, and China is making significant strides toward achieving this goal. This study focused on investigating the patterns of measles infections in Zhejiang Province, China, as well as control measures. The objective was to provide valuable insights that could contribute to the development of nationwide elimination strategies.
Associations between taxi drivers' aggressive driving behavior and sleep, cognition, and psychological factors in Korea: negative binomial regression analysis
Ok JS, Kim H, An SY and Kim MY
Aggressive driving behavior is a significant predictor of traffic accidents. In particular, the driving behavior of taxi drivers is a critical issue that can impact the safety of both drivers and passengers. This study explored the sleep, cognitive, and psychological factors associated with taxi drivers' aggressive driving behavior.
Contrasting income-based inequalities in incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Korea, 2006-2015
Bahk J, Kang HY, Khang YH and Jung-Choi K
Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in Korea are increasing. This study analyzed income-based inequalities in the incidence and mortality of women breast cancer from 2006 to 2015, using national data that covered all Korean women.
The role of supervisor support in the association between night work and depressive symptoms: a gender-stratified analysis of 22,422 full-time wage workers in Korea
Kim HW, Kim JH, Lee G, Lee HL, Lee H and Kim SS
This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences.
Data profile: the Korean Workers' Compensation-National Health Insurance Service (KoWorC-NHIS) cohort
Min J, Kim EM, Kim J, Jang J, Choi Y and Kim I
The Korean Workers' Compensation-National Health Insurance Service (KoWorC-NHIS) cohort was established to investigate the longitudinal health outcomes of Korean workers who have been compensated for occupational injuries or diseases. This cohort study, which utilized data spanning from 2004 to 2015, merged workers' compensation insurance claim data with the National Health Insurance Database (NHID), encompassing 858,793 participants. The data included socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, income, address, insurance type, and disability grade. It also covered the types of occupational accidents, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes for diseases or accidents, work tenure, industry, occupation code, and company size. Additional details such as the occupational hire date, date of claim, date of recognition, and affected body parts were recorded. The cohort predominantly consisted of male workers (80.0%), with the majority experiencing their first occupational accident in their 40s (27.6%) or 50s (25.3%). Notably, 93.1% of the cases were classified as occupational injuries. By integrating this data with that from the NHID, updates on health utilization, employment status, and income changes were made annually. The follow-up period for this study is set to conclude in 2045.
Adverse health effects of climate change and air pollution in people with disabilities: a systematic review
Rhim N, Lee S and Choi KH
Global warming and air pollution adversely affect the health of the entire human population, particularly older adults, people with disabilities (PWDs), and children. In this systematic review, we investigated the adverse health effects of climate change and air pollution in PWDs. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database using the terms "disab*," "air pollution," and "climate change" on July 4, 2023, and August 8, 2023 and searched the Web of Science (WOS) database on December 28, 2023. We identified 425 and 1,169 studies on climate change cited in PubMed and WOS, respectively, as well as 333 studies on air pollution in PubMed and 495 studies on air pollution in WOS. The studies were classified by type of exposure, and full-text screening was conducted to confirm that the population, intervention or exposure, comparator, outcome statement, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were met. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included cohort and case-control studies and for data analysis. In extreme temperatures, PWDs experienced higher rates of injury, heat-related illness, functional impairment, heart disease, mental disorders, and mortality than people who were non-disabled (ND). Exposure to air pollution resulted in higher rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, poststroke neurological and functional disability, and mortality in PWDs than in people who were ND. Therefore, because PWDs were more affected by climate change and air pollution than people who were ND, sensitive policies and preparedness measures should be developed for PWDs.