INTRODUCTION: Maldistribution of echocardiographic expertise is a relevant issue in an archipelago such as the Philippines. We specifically looked at (1) the nationwide census of physician echocardiographers, cardiac sonographers, and cardiac laboratory managers; (2) their geographic distribution; and (3) background training and laboratory classification. METHODS: Data from paper and online surveys conducted in 2015 and 2021 were consolidated alongside the existing society database. Surveys (Google Forms; Google, Mountain View, California) were disseminated through a variety of online, social media, and communication avenues and focused on three categories of respondents: (1) physician echocardiographers, (2) cardiac sonographers, and (3) laboratory managers. The main variables of interest included estimated census per category and geographical distribution. Secondary variables included training background and laboratory classification. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 651 physician echocardiographers, 2487 cardiac sonographers, and 443 cardiac laboratory managers on record, with86 readers, 405 sonographers, and 101 managers responding to the survey. The majority of the surveyed readers (41.2%), sonographers (48.3%), and laboratory managers (28.2%) were situated in the National Capital Region. Close to half of the readers were level III echocardiographers. The majority of the sonographers (46.7%) were nurses, followed by medical technologists (21.8%) and radiologic technologists (18.9%).Most laboratory managers were in nontraining hospitals (38.2%) or stand-alone facilities (20.9%). The minority were in hospitals with cardiology (18.2%) or internal medicine (22.7%) training programs. CONCLUSION Geographical maldistribution of echocardiographic resources is still evident, with the majority of human resources being concentrated in the metropolis. The majority of the sonographers have nursing as their training background, and many laboratory managers are situated in facilities with no established training programs.
echocardiography ; laboratories ; resources ; health resources ; surveys and questionnaires

In 1998, 186 samples in Hanoi and 154 samples in Hai Phong city of 13 kinds of retail color processed foods were examined. Survey the knowledge of hygiene and safe food of 60 consumers and sellers in Hanoi and 100 consumers and sellers in Hai Phong city. Results: the rate of using unrecommended coloring in Hanoi was 43.4%, and in Hai Phong was 39.5%. 89.3%-100% of retail coloring packages in markets were illegal. In 2002, the rate of using harmful coloring in processing retail food in Hanoi was decreased significantly
Food ; Color ; Health Resources

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the socio-ecological and health profile of the Philippine LIFECARE study sites, its health care services and leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that recruited participants aged 20-50 years from Metro Manila and four provinces (Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal). Study sites were characterized according to their geographical area, terrain and environmental profile, and available health care system.

RESULTS: 3,072 subejects were included, with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3 and majority aged 30-50 years. Metro Manila was the most congested site. Two-thirds of the 62 villages (barangays) were rural, outside the town proper, and in lowlands. One-fourth were along coastal area. Almost all were accessible by public transportation. Majority have reduced forest cover, but were relatively safe from environmental hazards. Rural health units, hospitals, and professional health care workers were concentrated in Metro Manila. Leading cause of morbidity was respiratory tract infection, while cardiovascular diseases caused most of mortalities.

CONCLUSION: Study sites were mainly rural, outside the town proper and in lowlands, with available public transportation. There is an unequal distribution of health resources. Cardiovascular diseases is still the leading cause of mortality. The disparities in geographical access to health care play an important role in shaping human health.

The water resource in Hanoi is increasingly polluted which influences on the accommodation and people health. Surface and ground water was serious polluted. The water drainage and sewage processing was old and can not meet the current requirements. Dust, exhaustive, waste, smoke, noise, shaking... were pollution resources. It should have solutions for this situation.
Water ; Health Resources ; Water Pollution

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development’ has 17 “Global Goals” with 169 targets. This is the resolution by member countries as an intergovernmental agreement that acts as the Post 2015 Development Agenda (successor to the Millennium Development Goals). In conjunction with the United Nations SDG, World Health Organization published “The global strategy on human resources for health: workforce 2030”. It is primarily aimed at planners and policy-makers of WHO Member States and, its contents are of value to all relevant stake holders including medical education providers in the health workforce area. This article tried to explore the future direction of medical education to achieve the SDG in relation to Korean context.
Conservation of Natural Resources* ; Education, Medical* ; Health Manpower ; Humans ; Public Sector ; Social Control, Formal ; Social Skills ; United Nations ; World Health Organization

The objectives of this study are two-fold : to identify geographic variations in the rate of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy(T and A) and appendectomy and analyze the socioeconomic variables and health resources which affect geographic variation in the rate. The nationwide three month's cases of the two surgical procedures in 1991 are obtained from the record of the National Federation of Medical Insurance. The analysis shows two to ten-fold variations in the regional rates for the performance of two common procedures such as T and A and appendectomy. T and A shows a bigger regional variations than appendectomy. As a result of multiple regression, the factor of bed supply has been found significant for the dependent variable of the rate of T and A. The findings of large variations in the rate of surgical procedures throughout the country would have important implications for allocating scarce resources and managing quality of care. Further analysis is needed for the elaboration of the above implications.
Appendectomy* ; Health Resources ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Tonsillectomy*

Rationale: The provision of surgical services in the Philippines is an essential component of our healthcare system. Despite an increasing number of accredited training programs, geographic maldistribution remains a key factor in access to surgical care in the country. This study aimed to describe the geographic distribution of surgeons and anesthesiologists in the Philippines and factors that affect their practice to provide insights into the country's surgical capabilities. Additionally, demographic factors such as workforce density, professional mobility, and economic indicators were explored. The ultimate goal was to establish an updated database for continuous monitoring of surgical manpower, facilitated through the collaboration of the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) and the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists (PSA). Methods: This cross-sectional study, sponsored by the World Surgical Foundation (WSF) and the Philippine College of Surgeons Foundation (PCSF), received exemption from review by the Single Joint Research Ethics Board (SJREB) of the Department of Health. An online survey was distributed to surgeons and anesthesiologists across the Philippines from July 1 to December 31, 2020. Active practitioners in relevant specialties were eligible, excluding retirees. Procedures adhered to ICH-GCP principles, National Ethical Guidelines, and the Data Privacy Act. Additional data, sourced from various outlets, was consolidated, verified and subsequently entered into an electronic data sheet (Google Sheets, Google LLC, Palo Alto CA) to extract descriptive statistics of the surgical and anesthesia workforce at the national and regional levels. Results: Analysis of the data indicates male dominance with a noticeable trend of increasing female participation in surgical training programs, while anesthesiologist gender distribution showed a female preponderance. Maldistribution in manpower persists, influenced by factors such as training programs, medical education, and the availability of secondary and tertiary hospitals, and other socio-economic conditions in the country. The study reveals regional variations in the distribution of surgeons and anesthesiologists in the Philippines, with a notable concentration in urban centers, the highest being in Luzon, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Conclusion The study highlights gender disparities and regional variations in the distribution of surgeons and anesthesiologists in the Philippines, with a significant concentration in Luzon, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Disparities in subspecialty distribution are exacerbated by healthcare education discrepancies and inadequate healthcare infrastructure especially in rural areas. Addressing these challenges requires focused efforts on expanding training programs, recruiting specialists, and ensuring equitable access to surgical care nationwide. Establishing a comprehensive surgical workforce database is essential for informed policymaking, monitoring workforce distribution, and assess service quality to enhance access to surgical services.
Workforce ; Health Resources ; General Surgery ; Anesthesiology

This paper introduced the role of the health economy and its application in the strengthening of the efficacy and equity in access of the health resources, sharing the national burden of health, improvement of quality of health services and highlight of the people health. The paper introduced also the differences of the health economy from general economy.
Public Health Administration ; Health Services ; Public Health ; Health Resources

Extensive resources are expended attempting to change clinical practice; however, determining the effects of these interventions can be challenging. Traditionally, frameworks to examine the impact of educational interventions have been hierarchical in their approach. In this article, existing frameworks to examine medical education initiatives are reviewed and a novel '7Is framework' discussed. This framework contains seven linearly sequenced domains: interaction, interface, instruction, ideation, integration, implementation, and improvement. The 7Is framework enables the conceptualization of the various effects of an intervention, promoting the development of a set of valid and specific outcome measures, ultimately leading to more robust evaluation.
Education, Medical ; Health Expenditures ; Health Resources ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

In order to assess the general health effect due to air pollution and to determine the critical pollutant which is meant by the worst effect to health among various pollutants in Seoul, air quality measurements at 10 sites during 1983~1984 were analyzed using Pollutant Standards Index (PSI): This index has been ultimately proposed to describe the comprehensive degree of the air pollution by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) since 1976. Total average of PSI in Seoul during the two years was 139 that is described in "unhealthful". The highest PSI appeared in Winter 183 through the 2 years, the lowest in Summer 99, and Spring 129 and Fall 150 respectively. PSI in Deungchon dong and Seongsu dong which are industrial areas were very high in terms of "very unhealthful", while Shinlim dong was shown in low in terms of "good". TSP was a priority pollutant in Seoul as the most frequently occurring critical pollutant. Its frequency was 76.4% in Spring, 86.0% in Summer, 78.0% in Fall and 44.2% in Winter during the 2 years. In Winter, TSP X SO2 was an important term as the critical pollutant in Seoul. Oxidant was the most frequently occurring critical pollutant in Kwangwhamoon through the whole seasons. It was recommended that the PSI could be used to assess the air pollution administratively and legally in context with public health.
Air Pollution* ; Natural Resources ; Public Health ; Seasons ; Seoul*