Impact of Wildfire Smoke Exposure on Health in Korea
10.3349/ymj.2022.63.8.774
- Author:
Kihyun LEE
1
;
Sung-Soo OH
;
Kyoung Sook JEONG
;
Yeon-Soon AHN
;
Sei Jin CHANG
;
Se Hwa HONG
;
Dae Ryong KANG
;
Sung-Kyung KIM
;
Sang-Baek KOH
Author Information
1. Departments of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2022;63(8):774-782
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The characteristic topography and climate often affect the occurrence of large-scale wildfires in the Eastern Gangwon-do region of Korea. However, there are no studies on the health effects of these wildfires in Korea. This study aimed to analyze the differences in medical use between a wildfire-affected area and an adjacent non-affected area before and after a wildfire in 2019 in Gangwon-do, Korea.
Materials and Methods:We used medical usage data from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. Rates of medical use were determined for citizens of a wildfire-affected area in the Eastern Yeongdong region and a non-affected area in the Western Yeongseo region. Logistic regression analysis was performed considering an increase in medical use per individual as a dependent variable; age, sex, income, smoking, drinking, and exercise were included as confounding variables.
Results:The odds ratio for medical use in Yeongdong region increased significantly after 3 days, 3 months, and 1 year after a fire occurred, compared with Yeongseo region.
Conclusion:The results of this study confirmed that the use of medical care increased for residents of a wildfire-affected area, compared with those of an adjacent non-affected area. This is the first study on the relationship between wildfires and inpatient medical use in Korea.
