https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/168922 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:51:41 GMT 2026-04-20T05:51:41Z https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211778 Title: Early-life exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances and heavy metals and lower lung function in school-age children: A prospective cohort study Authors: Shin, Sanghee; Shin, Choong Ho; Lee, Young Ah; Lee, Yun Jeong; Hong, Yun-Chul; Lim, Youn-Hee; Kim, Bung-Nyun; Kim, Johanna Inhyang; Lee, Dong-Wook; Kim, Kyoung-Nam Abstract: Previous studies examining the associations of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy metals (HMs) with lung function have yielded inconsistent findings. We investigated the associations of PFAS and HMs with lung function in a Korean birth cohort followed up to 10 years of age. Data from the Environment and Development of Children (EDC) cohort were used (n = 505). Serum PFAS and whole blood HM concentrations were measured at ages 2, 4, and 6 years. Lung function was assessed at ages 8 and 10 years. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the associations of individual chemicals with repeated lung function measurements. Principal component analysis (PCA) within a doubly robust estimation framework was applied to examine the associations between chemical mixtures and lung function. In analyses for individual chemicals, several PFAS (e. g., perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA] and linear perfluorooctane sulfonate [L-PFOS]) and HMs (e.g., mercury and cadmium), particularly those measured at age 2, were associated with lower lung function. In mixture analyses, higher age-2 PCA-derived exposure patterns characterized by PFAS-dominant components were associated with lower FEF25-75 [beta = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.07], whereas higher age-2 HM-dominant components were associated with lower FEV1/FVC (beta = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.63, 2.03) at 8-10 years. These findings suggest that early-life exposure to PFAS-and HM-dominant mixtures, particularly around age 2 years, may adversely influence subsequent lung function. Our results highlight the importance of early-life prevention strategies to minimize exposure to these ubiquitous chemicals, particularly around 2 years of age. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211778 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211234 Title: Association between intimate partner violence victimization and smoking initiation and cessation among married adults in Korea Authors: Baek, Seong-Uk; Yoon, Jin-Ha Abstract: Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health concern. Although some studies have identified cross-sectional associations between IPV victimization and smoking, longitudinal research remains limited. This study investigated the association between IPV victimization and smoking initiation and cessation among Korean adults. Methods: This study included adult participants from the Korean Welfare Panel Study 2009-2023 (n = 13,450; observations = 108,932). Experiences of non-physical and overt physical IPV within the past year were assessed. The outcome measure was the incidence of smoking initiation and cessation in the following year. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for repeated measures. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to represent the associations. Results: Among the overall sample, individuals exposed to non-physical or physical IPV had 1.36-fold (95% CI: 1.18-1.56) and 2.69-fold (95% CI: 1.77-4.08) higher odds of smoking initiation, respectively, compared to those not exposed to IPV. Furthermore, verbal IPV, threats of physical IPV, and physical IPV were associated with 1.43fold (95% CI: 1.24-1.63), 1.74-fold (95% CI: 1.26-2.39), and 2.44-fold (95% CI: 1.60-3.72) increased odds of smoking initiation, respectively. These associations were observed in both men and women. However, no clear association was found between IPV and smoking cessation in the subsequent years. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that individuals who experienced IPV had an increased likelihood of smoking initiation one year after exposure. Consequently, policy interventions aimed at preventing IPV are warranted. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211234 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211454 Title: Does $1 matter? Health care demand response to a small copayment Authors: Choi, Yunji; 최윤지 Abstract: This paper explores how health care demand responds to a copayment as small as $1. Medinal Benefit (MB) is a health insurance plan provided to the low-income group. I exploit a setting where a copayment of $1 was introduced only to a portion of the MB enrollees who previously received free care. The price of $1 reduced monthly outpatient visits by 10 percent. While I find a reduction in low-value care, such as the inappropriate use of antibiotics, I find a negligible effect on high-value care, such as medication adherence for patients with chronic illnesses. The findings suggest that a small copayment can help mitigate potential moral hazard risk while not forgoing access to essential care. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211454 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211240 Title: Korean dioxin risk patterns: Modulation by dietary-socio-demographic and behavioral factors Authors: Lee, Dongjun; Jeong, Kyungjun; Oh, Jeongho; Kim, Changsoo; Park, Seungyoung; Lee, Yongjin Abstract: Background: Dioxins, well-known persistent organic pollutants, accumulate in the human body primarily through dietary exposure. However, it may be significant to examine the current status of dioxin risk in relation to physiological factors, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic conditions with dietary patterns. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the non-carcinogenic dioxin risk patterns according to physiological, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and dietary factors. Methods: Physiological, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and dietary factors were surveyed for 153 Korean adults (aged 20-59) living in metropolitan areas. 29 dioxin congeners were analyzed in serum samples. The estimated daily dioxin intake was calculated by combining the surveyed dietary consumption data with the dioxin concentrations provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea. The non-carcinogenic risk from comparing the estimated intake with WHO TDI value was classified into surveyed factors. The association between dietary intake and blood dioxin concentrations was evaluated using a generalized linear model. Results: Females exhibited a higher risk than males, and the risk increased with advancing age. Current smokers showed a lower risk compared to non-smokers and former smokers, while participants with a history of disease demonstrated a notably lower risk than those without such a history. Furthermore, higher monthly income was associated with an increased risk, whereas higher educational attainment was inversely associated with risk. Shellfish was associated with increasing blood DL-PCBs levels. Conclusion: Socio-demographic and behavioral factors may play an important role in modulating the noncarcinogenic risk associated with dietary dioxin exposure. Changes in dioxin risk patterns across such factors warrant further examination through additional investigation. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/211240 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z