https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/522 2026-04-04T15:23:10Z 2026-04-04T15:23:10Z Chitrakar, Sachchi Baral Choi, Jae Wook Kim, Kyung Hee https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79533 2026-03-17T05:30:25Z 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Unstable aid, unstable lives: a call for reinforced global health solidarity Authors: Chitrakar, Sachchi Baral; Choi, Jae Wook; Kim, Kyung Hee Abstract: Recent reductions in global health aid, notably the 2025 freeze of USAID funding, have severely disrupted essential health programs in over 130 countries. This disruption has hit essential health interventions such as HIV/AIDS treatment, maternal health, and nutritional support the hardest. Shift in donor engagement along with the sudden USAID freeze brought systemic vulnerabilities in health systems highly reliant on external assistance, particularly across countries with fragile infrastructures. Reduced contributions from major donors, including the United States and United Kingdom, alongside declining multilateral funding, have critically weakened institutions like WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Global Fund. Current projections indicate significant increases in preventable maternal deaths, unintended pregnancies, and HIV infections, threatening to reverse the global health progress of two decades. This perspective analyzes the implications of shifting donor strategies and underscores the urgency of reinforcing multilateral cooperation through Aid Volatility/Shocks Framework to mitigate the cascading effects of acute funding shocks on global health security and preventable mortality. Drawing on recent successes such as COVAX's global vaccine distribution and the effectiveness of multilateral partnerships during health emergencies, we propose a forward-looking framework: a multi-lateral "anti-shock resilience" model that includes predictable financing, coordinated emergency response, and strengthened governance mechanisms. To achieve these objectives, it requires immediate donor re-engagement, institutional strengthening, and flexible funding models. Ultimately, the ongoing aid crisis highlights the need to prioritize a transition from dependency-driven approaches towards a global health architecture that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient.

2026-02-01T00:00:00Z Chitrakar, Sachchi Baral Moon, Juyoung Choi, Jae Wook Kim, Kyung Hee https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/78253 2025-11-12T05:00:08Z 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Predictors of public risk perception of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident's treated radioactive wastewater release: Study on South Korean population Authors: Chitrakar, Sachchi Baral; Moon, Juyoung; Choi, Jae Wook; Kim, Kyung Hee Abstract: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared in early July 2023 that the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) would have negligible effects on the water ecosystem and human lives, and soon after the Japanese government started the release on August 24, 2023. However, international concern regarding its harmful impacts continues, especially among the public. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing the risk perception of South Korean adults regarding Japan's treated water release through an online survey of 987 adults aged 20-59. The results showed that risk perception was significantly higher in females and associated with subjective knowledge, involuntary exposure, and low perceived controllability. Furthermore, trust in both the South Korean and Japanese governments as information sources, as well as trust in the South Korean government's evidence-based policy implementation were significantly associated with risk perception. Addressing public anxiety about treated wastewater release requires alleviating feelings of anxiety, two-way communication with stakeholders, empowering individuals with reliable information and addressing their concerns. Collaborative efforts between South Korea and Japan, involving local leaders and experts, can build trust and promote effective risk communication, mitigating fears of involuntary exposure and historical distrust.

2025-12-01T00:00:00Z Kim, Kyoung-nam Kang, Sungchan Kim, Youlim Kim, Kyungsik Hong, Youjin Lee, Sangjun Sung, Soseul Lim, Woojin Lee, Kwan Park, Ji-hyuk Yoo, Seok-Ju Park, Hyunchul Kang, Keon Wook Han, Sangjun Choi, Jae-Wook Kim, Kyung-Hee Park, Sue K. https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/78385 2025-09-24T00:30:32Z 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Cancer Incidence and Prevalence in Relation to Proximity to a Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea Authors: Kim, Kyoung-nam; Kang, Sungchan; Kim, Youlim; Kim, Kyungsik; Hong, Youjin; Lee, Sangjun; Sung, Soseul; Lim, Woojin; Lee, Kwan; Park, Ji-hyuk; Yoo, Seok-Ju; Park, Hyunchul; Kang, Keon Wook; Han, Sangjun; Choi, Jae-Wook; Kim, Kyung-Hee; Park, Sue K. Abstract: Background: Previous studies on cancer risk near nuclear power plants (NPP) have reported inconsistent results. This study aimed to estimate the standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized prevalence ratios (SPR) of cancer near a NPP in Korea. Methods: Claims data from the National Health Insurance Service (2006–2020) were used to calculate the SIRs and SPRs for all cancers and 17 radiation-related cancer types. Proximity to the Wolsong NPP in Gyeongju, Korea, was categorized into <5 km (region I), 5 to 9.9 km (region II), 10 to 20 km (region III), and 60 to 100 km (region IV). Results: The SIRs for all cancers were 1.12 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.41), 1.50 (1.16–1.85), 0.87 (0.76–0.97), and 1.04 (0.91–1.16) in regions I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The SPRs for all cancers were 0.67 (0.59–0.75), 0.78 (0.70–0.87), 0.68 (0.65–0.71), and 0.76 (0.72–0.80) in regions I, II, III, and IV, respectively. In the analyses combining regions I and II, the SIRs for all cancers and stomach cancer, as well as the SPRs for esophageal cancer and lung cancer, were increased in regions located within 10 km from the NPP. Conclusions: Elevated, but statistically nonsignificant, point estimates of the SIR and SPR, with wide confidence intervals, were observed for several outcomes within 5 km of the NPP. Impact: This exploratory study provides information to design further longitudinal studies with individual-level data and more accurate exposure assessment to understand cancer risks near NPPs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

2025-09-01T00:00:00Z Jin, Dal-Lae Go, Dun-Sol Yoon, Seok-Jun https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/77731 2025-09-08T08:54:48Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Longitudinal Perspectives on Health and Medical Research in Korea: Strengths and Limitations of Key Panel Datasets Authors: Jin, Dal-Lae; Go, Dun-Sol; Yoon, Seok-Jun Abstract: Rapid population ageing, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and evolving healthcare demands have heightened the need for robust longitudinal data to support evidence-based health policy and interventions. Longitudinal panel surveys, which repeatedly collect data from the same individuals over extended periods, offer detailed insights into dynamic health-related changes and their determinants. South Korea has established numerous national panel surveys over recent decades; however, systematic comparative assessments across these surveys-particularly concerning their health-related variables and adaptations during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-are lacking. We systematically reviewed eleven major Korean longitudinal panel surveys, focusing on health-related variables and COVID-19 modules. Key variables included health status, chronic diseases, lifestyle behaviors, healthcare utilization, and mental health measures. COVID-19 adaptations such as infection history, vaccination status, and socioeconomic impacts were also examined using official documentation. The findings revealed considerable variability among the surveys in the range and depth of health variables captured, reflecting distinct target populations and research objectives. Surveys focused on specific demographic groups (older adults, children, women, and people with disabilities) tended to provide more comprehensive coverage of health indicators and incorporated specialized instruments (e.g., CES-D, EQ-5D). Conversely, general population-based panels demonstrated substantial variability. COVID-19-specific adaptations varied significantly: while certain surveys (Korean Labor and Income Panel Study, Korea Health Panel Survey, Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey) included explicit pandemic-related modules capturing infection histories, vaccinations, and changes in work and family dynamics, others relied on indirect reflections through existing measures. This comprehensive comparative analysis identifies notable strengths and gaps among Korea's major longitudinal panel surveys in health data collection and COVID-19 responsiveness. Enhanced standardization of survey instruments and targeted data harmonization efforts are recommended to optimize these resources for future health policy development, epidemiological research, and effective public health interventions.

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z