Background: Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018–2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13–18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model. Results: The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015–0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077–0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043–0.250). Conclusions In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.

Background: Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018–2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13–18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model. Results: The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015–0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077–0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043–0.250). Conclusions In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.

Background: Humans are exposed to mercury primarily in its highly toxic form, methyl mercury, which is known to have adverse effects on various organs and systems. The negative impact of mercury exposure on the growth, development, and mental health of children, from infancy to adolescence, is well-documented. However, there are no internationally standardized safe limits for mercury exposure. This study investigated the impact of dietary habits and higher body mass index (BMI) on blood mercury levels in adolescents. Methods: This study analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2018–2020. The focus was on 825 middle and high school students aged 13–18 years, whose blood mercury levels were measured. A survey on dietary and lifestyle habits was also conducted. Blood mercury levels were categorized by geometric median values, and associations with overweight status and seafood consumption were examined using a generalized linear model. Results: The geometric mean blood mercury level for the entire sample was 1.37 μg/L, with levels of 1.31 μg/L in normal-weight individuals and 1.43 μg/L in overweight individuals, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting for other variables, blood mercury levels were significantly associated with overweight status (estimate: 0.084; p = 0.018; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015–0.153), consumption of large fish and tuna more than once a week (estimate: 0.18; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.077–0.284), and consumption of fish once a week or more (estimate: 0.147; p = 0.004; 95% CI: 0.043–0.250). Conclusions In adolescents, a higher BMI and an increased consumption of large fish, tuna, and fish were associated with higher blood mercury levels. Notably, a stronger association was found between large fish consumption and blood mercury levels in the overweight group. These findings suggest the need to moderate seafood consumption and establish more proactive mercury exposure standards for adolescents.

This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea by focusing on the Anseong Health Welfare Social Cooperative (Anseong Medicoop) as a case study. Anseong Medicoop restructured its existing NaHaengSi (“time for caring for oneself”) program into a community-centered healthcare model and provides services to 1,517 participants. This healthcare model categorized participants into two groups: disease prevention and chronic disease management. Service provision encompassed five stages: registration and categorization, initial examination, comprehensive assessment and planning, service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. By emphasizing comprehensive community-centered activities, preventive services, and appropriate medical treatments, Anseong Medicoop possesses a robust foundation for the effective implementation of this model. The high levels of satisfaction observed in service evaluations provide further evidence of its success. Anseong Medicoop’s healthcare model demonstrated the feasibility of a community-centered primary care approach in South Korea. This study highlights the potential for the successful implementation of a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea if operational challenges are sufficiently addressed and a new payment system is introduced.

Studies on the association between job satisfaction and depression have often been reported. However, no study has examined how job satisfaction impacts depression while considering satisfaction with other aspects of life. In this study, we evaluated the effect of job satisfaction on depression after adjusting for satisfaction with other domains of life.

This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea by focusing on the Anseong Health Welfare Social Cooperative (Anseong Medicoop) as a case study. Anseong Medicoop restructured its existing NaHaengSi (“time for caring for oneself”) program into a community-centered healthcare model and provides services to 1,517 participants. This healthcare model categorized participants into two groups: disease prevention and chronic disease management. Service provision encompassed five stages: registration and categorization, initial examination, comprehensive assessment and planning, service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. By emphasizing comprehensive community-centered activities, preventive services, and appropriate medical treatments, Anseong Medicoop possesses a robust foundation for the effective implementation of this model. The high levels of satisfaction observed in service evaluations provide further evidence of its success. Anseong Medicoop’s healthcare model demonstrated the feasibility of a community-centered primary care approach in South Korea. This study highlights the potential for the successful implementation of a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea if operational challenges are sufficiently addressed and a new payment system is introduced.

Studies on the association between job satisfaction and depression have often been reported. However, no study has examined how job satisfaction impacts depression while considering satisfaction with other aspects of life. In this study, we evaluated the effect of job satisfaction on depression after adjusting for satisfaction with other domains of life.

This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea by focusing on the Anseong Health Welfare Social Cooperative (Anseong Medicoop) as a case study. Anseong Medicoop restructured its existing NaHaengSi (“time for caring for oneself”) program into a community-centered healthcare model and provides services to 1,517 participants. This healthcare model categorized participants into two groups: disease prevention and chronic disease management. Service provision encompassed five stages: registration and categorization, initial examination, comprehensive assessment and planning, service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. By emphasizing comprehensive community-centered activities, preventive services, and appropriate medical treatments, Anseong Medicoop possesses a robust foundation for the effective implementation of this model. The high levels of satisfaction observed in service evaluations provide further evidence of its success. Anseong Medicoop’s healthcare model demonstrated the feasibility of a community-centered primary care approach in South Korea. This study highlights the potential for the successful implementation of a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea if operational challenges are sufficiently addressed and a new payment system is introduced.

Studies on the association between job satisfaction and depression have often been reported. However, no study has examined how job satisfaction impacts depression while considering satisfaction with other aspects of life. In this study, we evaluated the effect of job satisfaction on depression after adjusting for satisfaction with other domains of life.

This study evaluated the feasibility of implementing a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea by focusing on the Anseong Health Welfare Social Cooperative (Anseong Medicoop) as a case study. Anseong Medicoop restructured its existing NaHaengSi (“time for caring for oneself”) program into a community-centered healthcare model and provides services to 1,517 participants. This healthcare model categorized participants into two groups: disease prevention and chronic disease management. Service provision encompassed five stages: registration and categorization, initial examination, comprehensive assessment and planning, service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. By emphasizing comprehensive community-centered activities, preventive services, and appropriate medical treatments, Anseong Medicoop possesses a robust foundation for the effective implementation of this model. The high levels of satisfaction observed in service evaluations provide further evidence of its success. Anseong Medicoop’s healthcare model demonstrated the feasibility of a community-centered primary care approach in South Korea. This study highlights the potential for the successful implementation of a value-based, community-centered primary care model in South Korea if operational challenges are sufficiently addressed and a new payment system is introduced.