Objectives: This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications. Methods: Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents. Results: We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types. Conclusions This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.

Objectives: Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea. Methods: We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases. Results: Among the 3122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n=930, 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1468 cases (47.0%). Mood disorders were diagnosed in 1020 individuals (32.7%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased. Conclusions Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.

Objectives: This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications. Methods: Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents. Results: We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types. Conclusions This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.

Objectives: Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea. Methods: We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases. Results: Among the 3122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n=930, 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1468 cases (47.0%). Mood disorders were diagnosed in 1020 individuals (32.7%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased. Conclusions Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.

Objectives: This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications. Methods: Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents. Results: We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types. Conclusions This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.

Objectives: Lonely death is defined as “a person living in a state of social isolation, disconnected from family, relatives, and others, who dies from suicide, illness, or other causes”. This study investigated the characteristics of individuals who die alone in Korea. Methods: We constructed a database of lonely death cases by linking data from the Korea Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the Korea National Police Agency with National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the demographics, underlying diseases, and healthcare utilization patterns among lonely death cases. Results: Among the 3122 individuals identified as lonely death cases, 2621 (84.0%) were male and 501 (16.0%) were female. The most common age group was 50-59 years (n=930, 29.8%). The NHIS covered 2161 individuals (69.2%), whereas 961 individuals (30.8%) were enrolled in Medical Aid (MA). The highest number of lonely deaths occurred in Seoul areas, with 1468 cases (47.0%). Mood disorders were diagnosed in 1020 individuals (32.7%), and various alcohol-related diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, were also observed. Outpatient visits increased leading up to death but declined in the final 3 months, while hospitalizations decreased and emergency room visits slightly increased. Conclusions Most lonely death cases involved male in their 50s, with a disproportionately high number of MA beneficiaries compared to the general population. Many of these individuals also experienced mental health issues or alcohol-related disorders. Preventing social isolation and strengthening social safety nets are critical to reducing the occurrence of lonely deaths.

Objective: Miniscrew-assisted maxillary expansion devices are frequently used for patients with calcified midpalatal sutures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two bone-borne maxillary expansion appliances on the cranial and circummaxillary sutures by comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after transverse maxillary expansion. Methods: A total of 81 patients (women = 58, men = 23) were treated with either a C-expander (n = 44) or an ATOZ expander (n = 37). CBCT images were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) maxillary expansion, and the widths of 10 circummaxillary sutures were measured in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the changes in suture width between the C-expander and ATOZ groups, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The frontonasal, frontomaxillary, pterygomaxillary, nasomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal suture widths increased significantly after maxillary expansion in both the ATOZ and C-expander groups (both P < 0.05). The frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, and temporozygomatic suture widths decreased in the C-expander group (P < 0.05), whereas the frontozygomatic suture width increased significantly in the ATOZ group (P < 0.05). The width changes of the frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, temporozygomatic, pterygomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal sutures differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions Both the C- and ATOZ expanders affected the suture width in the naso-maxillozygomatic region. The C-expander decreased the circum-zygomatic suture widths, whereas the ATOZ expander widened the frontozygomatic suture with no effect on other circummaxillary sutures.

Objective: Miniscrew-assisted maxillary expansion devices are frequently used for patients with calcified midpalatal sutures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two bone-borne maxillary expansion appliances on the cranial and circummaxillary sutures by comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after transverse maxillary expansion. Methods: A total of 81 patients (women = 58, men = 23) were treated with either a C-expander (n = 44) or an ATOZ expander (n = 37). CBCT images were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) maxillary expansion, and the widths of 10 circummaxillary sutures were measured in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the changes in suture width between the C-expander and ATOZ groups, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The frontonasal, frontomaxillary, pterygomaxillary, nasomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal suture widths increased significantly after maxillary expansion in both the ATOZ and C-expander groups (both P < 0.05). The frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, and temporozygomatic suture widths decreased in the C-expander group (P < 0.05), whereas the frontozygomatic suture width increased significantly in the ATOZ group (P < 0.05). The width changes of the frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, temporozygomatic, pterygomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal sutures differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions Both the C- and ATOZ expanders affected the suture width in the naso-maxillozygomatic region. The C-expander decreased the circum-zygomatic suture widths, whereas the ATOZ expander widened the frontozygomatic suture with no effect on other circummaxillary sutures.

Objective: Miniscrew-assisted maxillary expansion devices are frequently used for patients with calcified midpalatal sutures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two bone-borne maxillary expansion appliances on the cranial and circummaxillary sutures by comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after transverse maxillary expansion. Methods: A total of 81 patients (women = 58, men = 23) were treated with either a C-expander (n = 44) or an ATOZ expander (n = 37). CBCT images were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) maxillary expansion, and the widths of 10 circummaxillary sutures were measured in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the changes in suture width between the C-expander and ATOZ groups, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The frontonasal, frontomaxillary, pterygomaxillary, nasomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal suture widths increased significantly after maxillary expansion in both the ATOZ and C-expander groups (both P < 0.05). The frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, and temporozygomatic suture widths decreased in the C-expander group (P < 0.05), whereas the frontozygomatic suture width increased significantly in the ATOZ group (P < 0.05). The width changes of the frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, temporozygomatic, pterygomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal sutures differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions Both the C- and ATOZ expanders affected the suture width in the naso-maxillozygomatic region. The C-expander decreased the circum-zygomatic suture widths, whereas the ATOZ expander widened the frontozygomatic suture with no effect on other circummaxillary sutures.

Objective: Miniscrew-assisted maxillary expansion devices are frequently used for patients with calcified midpalatal sutures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two bone-borne maxillary expansion appliances on the cranial and circummaxillary sutures by comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images before and after transverse maxillary expansion. Methods: A total of 81 patients (women = 58, men = 23) were treated with either a C-expander (n = 44) or an ATOZ expander (n = 37). CBCT images were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) maxillary expansion, and the widths of 10 circummaxillary sutures were measured in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the changes in suture width between the C-expander and ATOZ groups, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The frontonasal, frontomaxillary, pterygomaxillary, nasomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal suture widths increased significantly after maxillary expansion in both the ATOZ and C-expander groups (both P < 0.05). The frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, and temporozygomatic suture widths decreased in the C-expander group (P < 0.05), whereas the frontozygomatic suture width increased significantly in the ATOZ group (P < 0.05). The width changes of the frontozygomatic, zygomaticomaxillary, temporozygomatic, pterygomaxillary, internasal, intermaxillary, and midpalatal sutures differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions Both the C- and ATOZ expanders affected the suture width in the naso-maxillozygomatic region. The C-expander decreased the circum-zygomatic suture widths, whereas the ATOZ expander widened the frontozygomatic suture with no effect on other circummaxillary sutures.