Vol.18 No.6, February 13, 2025
Seontae Kim , Jieun Aum
, Hyeokjin Lee
, U Jin Cho
, Seul-Ki Kang
, Donghan Lee
, Sang-Eun Lee
The World Health Organization has proposed the Global Health Sector Strategy aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C). In response, the Republic of Korea (ROK) established the “First Basic Plan for the Management of Viral Hepatitis (hepatitis B and C), 2023–2027.” This report analyzes hepatitis C data from the Gyeongnam region (including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do) over the last six years, based on case reports and epidemiological investigations collected since hepatitis C surveillance became mandatory. From 2018 to 2023, 14,256 hepatitis C cases, both patients and pathogen carriers, were reported in the Gyeongnam region through the Disease and Health Integrated Management System. The incidence rate per 100,000 population increased from 29.3 cases in 2018 to 40.9 cases in 2020, peaked, and then steadily decreased to 22.7 cases in 2023. The age-standardized incidence rates in Busan (1.6 to 2.0 times) and Gyeongsangnam-do (1.3 to 1.7 times) were significantly higher than the national average. The highest incidence was observed in individuals in their 50s (30.6%) and 60s (24.1%), with housewives (18.4%) being the most common occupation. The primary testing indication was hospitalization for other conditions (2.7%), highlighting the need for early screening and management of hospitalized patients. The most prevalent genotypes were type 1b (8.5%) and type 2 (4.0%), consistent with the most common genotypes reported in the ROK. These findings will guide the development of hepatitis C prevention and management strategies in the Gyeongnam region. In future, identifying high-prevalence areas and risk factors, along with expanding community-based screening and treatment programs, will aid in eliminating hepatitis C.
Sunhye Kwon , Hoon Cho
, Sook-kyung Park
Infection prevention and control (IPC) units play a key role in preventing infections in medical institutions. As the importance of IPC is emphasized, the criteria for establishing IPC units have been continuously expanded. To clarify the role and work methods of recently established IPC units at medical institutions, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency developed the “Operational Guideline for Infection Prevention and Control Unit” in cooperation with IPC experts.
Jiyoung Jang , Jun-kil Choi
, Jee-Young Kim
, Chong Hee Choi
Rare diseases are characterized by a lack of disease-related information and difficulty in diagnosis or treatment due to a wide variety of diseases and a low prevalence of each disease. To manage rare diseases and support patients with rare diseases at national level, the Korean government has designated the Rare Diseases for National Management. These diseases are supported for diagnosis and medical financial assistance, leading to related studies on disease diagnosis and treatment in the Republic of Korea. This report introduces definitions, criteria, and procedures for Rare Diseases for National Management. It is intended to inform on the progress of the Designation of Rare Diseases for National Management and its achievements thus far; five years have passed since the initial designation in 2018.
Dong-Ik Lee*, Seung-Hyuk Kim, Ok-Soo Kim
Public Health Weekly Report 2025;18: 33-43 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.1.3Myung-Jae Hwang, So Yeon Park, Hyungjun Kim, Se Jeong Yang, Sungchan Yang, Jin Seon Yang
Public Health Weekly Report 2025;18: 17-32 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.1.2+82-43-719-7569