Seoul National University · Medicine
Professor Hee-Kyung Joh's research lab focuses on population health and preventive medicine, with a strong emphasis on the interplay between chronic diseases, lifestyle factors, and long-term health outcomes. Key research directions include the epidemiological links between metabolic conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency—and cancer (particularly renal cell carcinoma), as well as the association between allergic diseases and dementia. The lab also investigates health system performance, particularly public perceptions of primary care and the management of geriatric conditions like fecal incontinence, aiming to improve preventive and primary healthcare delivery.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Type 2 diabetes is independently associated with an increased risk of renal cell cancer in women. In addition, comorbidity of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes substantially elevates the risk of renal cell cancer.
Weight perception and weight control behavior significantly varied by gender and SES. Public actions should be directed toward improving perception and behavior of high-risk populations.
Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia and subtypes, with dose-effect relationships with the severity of allergic diseases. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:384-397.
Higher predicted plasma 25(OH)D levels were associated with a statistically significantly lower risk of RCC in men and women. Our findings need to be confirmed by other prospective studies using valid markers of long-term vitamin D status.
Primary care is not well established in Korea despite its importance in population health. To reinforce the primary care system, understanding the public view of primary care will be essential. We aimed to compare the public perception of primary care qualities across types of healthcare facilities. We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey at a university in Seoul, South Korea, from October 2018 to February 2019. Using the Korean Primary Care Assessment Tool (K-PCAT), participants assess
FI is prevalent in elderly Koreans and has a profound effect on quality of life. Physicians should closely screen for FI in elderly patients with certain risk factors and evaluate to control these potentially preventable or modifiable factors.
Inadequate vitamin D status is highly prevalent in the Korean population, especially among young adults. Nonetheless, correlates of suboptimal vitamin D levels in young adults are not well defined. This study aimed to investigate potentially modifiable determinants of vitamin D levels in young adults in Korea. This cross-sectional study was based on health check-up data from 3,450 healthy male and female university students aged 18-29 yr in Seoul between April and May 2013. Serum 25-hydroxyvitam
Young adulthood is a critical developmental period for establishing life-long health behaviors. However, too little attention has been paid to young adult health promotion. The purpose of this study was to describe the processes of development and implementation involved in a collaborative university-wide health promotion program and to evaluate the achievements of the program.A 3-day university-wide health promotion program was developed and implemented in the nation's largest public university
Skipping breakfast is highly prevalent but it is not clear whether breakfast frequency is associated with metabolic syndrome in young adults. We aimed to assess the association between breakfast frequency and metabolic syndrome in Korean young adults. This cross-sectional study was based on health check-up data of university students aged 18-39 years between 2016 and 2018. Participants were stratified into three groups by breakfast frequency (non-skipper, skipper 1-3 days/week, skipper 4-7 days/
FI knowledge levels and help-seeking rates were low among community-dwelling adults. FI knowledge was significantly associated with attitudes and help-seeking behaviors. Future public education programs are warranted to improve FI knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors.
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