Assessing COVID-19 Vulnerability Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men in Korea: The Role of Vaccination and Sexual Behaviors.

Objectives: Comorbidities increase susceptibility to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, but limited information has been published regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and COVID-19 co-infections. This study explored the relationships among socioeconomic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and COVID-19 infection rates among Korean men who have sex with men (MSM) who are also living with HIV.

Methods: Data were collected through a web survey aimed at members of the largest gay portal site in Korea, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (n=1005).

A Scoping Review of Causal Associations between Occupation and Cancer Occurrence and Legal Burden of Proof.

Occupational diseases, characterized by the gradual accumulation of work-related harmful effects over extended periods, often lack a distinct, identifiable incident causative of the disease. This ambiguity in pinpointing the work-relatedness of such diseases stems from the intricate interplay between occupational risks, workers' pathophysiological predispositions, and pre-existing health conditions, all of which evolve slowly over time. Consequently, establishing a definitive causal relationship between occupational exposure and disease manifestation becomes a pivotal, yet challenging, aspect in securing industrial accident insurance benefits.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease mimicking an appendiceal neoplasm: a case report.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition characterized by chronic activation of the immune system and a tendency to form tumorous lesions. IgG4-RD is frequently characterized by the presence of tumor-like masses affecting multiple organs and is easily mistaken for a malignant neoplasm. However, IgG4-RD affecting the appendix is extremely rare, with only seven cases reported previously.

Physical Distancing for Gay Men from People Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The fear of COVID-19 can exacerbate social stigma and prejudice against individuals living with HIV (PLWH). This research delved into the behaviors of MSM (men who have sex with men) who practice physical-distancing from PLWH. Data from 878 respondents were collected through a web survey conducted on Korea's largest LGBT portal site over one month in July 2022.

Behavioral Predictors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Korea.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic factors and sexual orientation-related attributes on the rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and infection among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: A web-based survey, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, was conducted among paying members of the leading online portal for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community in Korea. The study participants were MSM living in Korea (n=942).

Bridging the ICT Revolution and Communication Inequality: Lessons for Cancer Survivors.

The rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) offers new opportunities for providing health information to patients. In this study, we examined the contrasting effects that communication innovation through ICTs can bring in the care of patients with chronic diseases and the health promotion of medical consumers. We also discussed how disparities in information technology usage, based on socioeconomic status, affect the information gap and health inequalities among medical consumers.

Epidemiology at the Bar: A Legal Proof on Causation with Cancer Epidemiological Results.

The development of natural science has revealed causal relationships that we did not know about through scientific hypotheses and verification. Therefore, given enough time, the causal relationship between the controversial toxic substances and disease outbreaks will be largely elucidated. However, in the courtroom, the judge cannot wait for that moment, and must make a legal value judgment on the causal relationship as a condition for establishing a tort.

Behavioral predictors associated with HIV screening needs in gay Korean men during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, the capacity of medical resources focused on testing, diagnosing and treating COVID-19 has severely limited public access to health care. In particular, HIV screening, for which homosexual males in Korea received free and anonymous testing at public health centers, was completely halted. This study investigated behavioral predictors related to the HIV screening needs of Korean male homosexuals during the pandemic.

Associations Between Conventional Healthy Behaviors and Social Distancing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the 2020 Community Health Survey in Korea.

Objectives: Many studies have shown that social distancing, as a non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) that is one of the various measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an effective preventive measure to suppress the spread of infectious diseases. This study explored the relationships between traditional health-related behaviors in Korea and social distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were obtained from the 2020 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (n=98 149).

A Legal Approach to Cancer Epidemiology in Public Health.

The Public Health Act encompasses scientific research and law enforcement as causes, distributions, and preventive factors for diseases and injuries of a particular population. Today, the Public Health Law is growing into a field that expects to cultivate and utilize lawful practitioners who can apply specialized legal skills in health policy development and public health performance. The multidisciplinary approach of the Public Health Act integrates the legal and scientific elements of the field and the workforce, characterized by a more dynamic understanding of the health impact of legislation and the rapid deployment of effective policies.

A Legal and Epidemiological Consideration of the Causal Relationship between Tobacco and Lung Cancer.

This study reviewed issues including causality among tobacco companies' illegal acts, smoking, and lung cancer occurrence. In tobacco lawsuits so far, the burden of proof regarding negligence and a causal relationship has fallen on plaintiffs, who are the injured party. However, since the legislation of the Product Liability Act, the possibility of mitigating plaintiffs' burden of proof has opened up.

Self-Rated Health Status Based on the Type of Health Insurance: A Socioeconomic Perspective.

To investigate the effects of public and private health insurance on self-rated health (SRH) status within the National Health Insurance (NHI) system based on socioeconomic status in South Korea. The data were obtained from 10 867 respondents of the Korea Health Panel (2008-2011). We used hierarchical panel logistic regression models to assess the SRH status.

Constitution and Legal Basis of Health Rights: Lessons from Cancer Survivors in South Korea.

Social fundamental rights can be called 'factual claims' of the nationality of individuals, which means rights that require active action by the state for the realization of rights. On the other hand, the 'normative benefit right' is the right of the state to demand the enactment of certain laws and regulations. Specifically, the factor to be considered in the analysis of the social rights aspect of the right to health is the 'publicness of healthcare service'.

Contextual effects of social integration and disintegration on health status: evidence from South Korea.

Background: Many studies have shown that various social integration variables represented by social capital are beneficial to communities, including collective health. However, the rapid decline in fertility rates and the breakup of familyism in developed countries require a new approach to social disintegration, but the literature is insufficient. Here, we explored the contextual effects of social integration and social disintegration on the health of individuals.

Digital Health Care and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

We live in a world where big medical data are being compiled. Many people make use of biometric information gathered by a variety of health care devices linked to smartphones, such as Fitbit devices. In addition, the development of medical information management schemes and the introduction of health information systems have greatly increased the possibility of using medical records stored in medical institutions.

Risk factors of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Republic of Korea.

Background: Female sex workers (FSW) who live in urban areas in Republic of Korea have a particularly high risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). We investigated the prevalence of s STDs in FSWs in order to determine the factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in Korea.

Methods: Study data were collected from 832 FSWs through a 2014 survey on the prevalence of STDs in high risk populations in Republic of Korea.

Global Challenges to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention.

Because of the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), men who have sex with men (MSM) is socially branded in many countries, and epidemiological approaches have become difficult for this group. This study reviewed the clinical development and political challenges associated with HIV infection. Organizing and disseminating clinical medical advances can help us eliminate social stigmas and the dishonor linked to MSM.

Effects of Maternal Decisional Authority and Media Use on Vaccination for Children in Asian Countries.

It is now accepted that vaccination is a critical public health strategy in preventing child morbidity and mortality. Understanding factors that promote vaccination is a critical first step. The objective of this study was to investigated associations of maternal decisional authority and media use on vaccination for children in six South and Southeast Asian countries.

The Influence of Exposure to Smoking in Movies on Cigarette Cravings among Adolescents: A Contextual Quasi-Experimental Model.

This study explored the socio-contextual characteristics of adolescents that led them to have increased cigarette cravings when exposed to smoking scenes in films. We analyzed online survey data collected from a representative sample of 955 Korean adolescents. Our dependent variable was change in cigarette cravings after watching a smoking scene; independent variables included sex, age, school type, allowance, smoking experience, and parental smoking.

Social Capital, Community Capacity, and Health.

The capacity to practice health behavior is different for each individual. Community capacity and social capital deal with understanding the relationship between community members and with the factors that promote or delay collective activities. This study examines existing literature in relation to social capital, health, and community capacity.

The effect of maternal decisional authority on children's vaccination in East Asia.

Even though they are important determinants for increasing vaccination rates in advanced and developing nations alike, maternal capacity and decisional authority have not been fully elucidated in diverse countries and cultural spheres. This study examined the effects of South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese mothers' health literacy, self-efficacy, mass media use, and decisional authority on their children's vaccination after adjustment for their socioeconomic statuses. Computer-assisted web interviews were conducted with married women in their 20s-40s of South Korean, Chinese, or Japanese nationality (n = 1,571).

Challenges of Vaccinations in the Era of New Media Communication.

Active discussions are underway on whether or not the absence or insufficiency of communication is a decisive factor affecting hesitancy with regard to vaccines. Low-quality services such as insufficient communication can lead to an increase in the population postponing vaccinations in countries without deficiencies in vaccine procurement. This study examines the strategies and tasks of health communication in relation to vaccinations.

Associations between media use and health information-seeking behavior on vaccinations in South Korea.

Background: Although vaccinations are critical for preventing emerging infectious diseases, scant research has been conducted on risk communication. With socio-economic characteristics, health behavior, and underlying diseases under control, we investigated associations between media use, health information-seeking behavior, health information type, and vaccination in the population.

Methods: This study relied on a national survey of Korean adults (n = 1367).