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This study assesses the association between the objectively measured built environment and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 50,741 adults from the Korean Community Health Survey. The CVD outcomes of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) or angina were derived from self-reported histories of physician diagnoses. Using ArcGIS software and Korean government databases, this study measured the built environment variables for the 546 administrative areas of Gyeonggi province. A Bayesian spatial multilevel model was performed independently in two age groups (i.e., 40–59 years or ≥60 years). After adjusting for statistical significant individual- and community-level factors with the spatial associations, living far from public transit was associated with an increase in the odds of MI or angina in middle-aged adults, while living in neighborhoods in which fast-food restaurants were concentrated was associated with a decrease in the odds of hypertension and stroke. For adults 60 or older, living farther from public physical-activity (PA) facilities was associated with a 15% increased odds for dyslipidemia, compared with living in neighborhoods nearer to PA facilities. These findings suggest that creating a built environment that provides more opportunities to engage in PA in everyday life should be considered a strategy to reduce the prevalence of CVD.

Previous studies using spatial statistical modeling that account for spatial associations between geographic areas are scarce. Therefore, this study examines the association between neighborhood environment and obesity using a Bayesian spatial multilevel model. Data from 78,014 adults living in Gyeonggi province in Korea were drawn from the 2013–2014 Korean Community Health Survey. Korean government databases and ArcGIS software (version 10.1, ESRI, Redlands, CA) were used to measure the neighborhood environment for 546 administrative districts of Gyeonggi province. A Bayesian spatial multilevel model was implemented across gender and age groups. The findings indicate that women aged 19–39 years who lived in neighborhoods farthest away from parks were more likely to be obese. Men aged 40–59 years who lived in neighborhoods farther from public physical activity facilities and with lower population density were more likely to be obese. Obesity for women aged 19–39 years was the most spatially dependent, while obesity for women aged 40–59 years was the least spatially dependent. The results suggest that neighborhood environments that provide more opportunities for physical activity are negatively related to obesity. Therefore, the creation of physical activity in favorable neighborhood environments, considering gender and age, may be a valuable strategy to reduce obesity.

This study identified the pathways chosen by people with severe physical disabilities (PWSPD) in South Korea and Japan in using community care throughout their life and compared their experiences while navigating these pathways from their perspective. A concurrent nested mixed-method design was adopted. Quantitative data analysis included pathway mapping of facilities and services used throughout their lives. For qualitative data, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied. Eleven South Korean (congenital 7, acquired 4) and nine Japanese (congenital 6, acquired 3) participants were surveyed and interviewed. Pathway mapping was conducted by classifying the participants into focus groups. South Korean participants took nine years more than the Japanese participants to reach independence and showed different pathway characteristics. Superordinate themes from the IPA provided insight into the differences in experiences between PWSPD of the two countries: (1) accessibility and continuity of medical services; (2) experience of vocational training; (3) way and degree of social support for independent living; (4) care planning for receiving comprehensive services. In developing a community care model for the PWSPD to accelerate their time to independence, the government should strive for accessibility and connectivity of medical services, strengthen vocational training, social support for independent living, and information provision for the PWSPD.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Nepal's Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth summarises the available evidence on ten physical activity-related indicators among Nepalese children and youth. METHODS: Published scientific papers on physical activity of Nepalese children and youth (5–17 years) were searched systematically in four databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed Central) while some survey reports were manually searched. Letter grades were assigned to ten indicators (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviours, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government) by the country's report card team based on available data. RESULTS: Among the ten indicators, five indicators were successfully graded based on available data. Overall Physical Activity was graded as D+. Active Transportation and Family and Peers were assigned as A- and A, respectively. Community and Environment was graded as C-. The other five indicators could not be graded due to insufficient data. CONCLUSIONS: Though a majority of Nepalese children and youth use active modes of transport and have adequate support for physical activity from family and peers, overall participation in physical activity appears to be low. Lack of data identified with five incomplete indicators reflects the need for further research. Studies with larger sample, more rigorous study design and objective assessment of physical activity is recommended for future physical activity surveillance in Nepal.

An outbreak of febrile respiratory illness associated with human adenovirus (HAdV) occurred in the South Korea military during the 2014–15 influenza season and thereafter. Molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis of patient samples identified HAdV type 55 as the causative agent. Emergence of this novel HAdV necessitates continued surveillance in military and civilian populations.