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To improve medication adherence of elderly living alone, it is essential to identify barriers to adherence, including their concerns and attitudes toward medications. These factors associated with adherence should be considered in further intervention studies.

Most smokers who use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to stop smoking simultaneously use conventional cigarettes (dual users). We aimed to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among dual users, cigarette-only smokers, and never smokers in Korean men. We used data acquired from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2017) pertaining to 7,505 male participants aged 19 years or older. About 85% of e-cigarette users were dual users. Dual users had greater

Elevated systemic neutrophil count is associated with the presence and severity of DR as well as diabetes. This result indicates that systemic subclinical inflammation is related with DR, and neutrophil-mediated inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR.

In a nationally representative sample of Korean men, insulin resistance and the fasting plasma insulin level were inversely associated with bone mass. Further studies are required to confirm this association and reveal the underlying mechanisms.

To increase the nationwide breast cancer screening rate, more attention should be given to underrepresented groups, particularly the elderly, those with a low education level, smokers, and those with a negative attitude towards screening tests. These issues highlight the need for a new emphasis in health education, promotional campaigns and public health policy aimed at these underrepresented groups.

This study confirmed that PIM prescription is common among elderly Koreans. A clinical decision support system should be developed to decrease the prevalence of PIM prescriptions.

Post-cessation BMI change did not significantly modify the protective association of smoking cessation with MI and stroke.

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among Korean women. The 2002 National Cancer Center screening guideline breast cancer was revised via an evidence-based approach to provide medical personnel with a standard protocol of screening breast cancer. There is moderate-level evidence that biennial screening mammography in asymptomatic women aged 40 to 69 reduces breast cancer mortality, while low-level evidence suggests that screening mammography in women 70 years or older does not red

Laparoscopic surgery seems to be adequate and feasible for the treatment of early-stage ovarian cancer with comparable results to laparotomy in terms of the surgical outcomes and oncological safety.

Targeted interventions for vulnerable populations and public campaigns about preventive medical evaluation are needed to increase gastric cancer screening participation and reduce gastric cancer mortality.

Having a reason and purpose for living, which is an aspect of spirituality, was a relevant factor in the spousal caregivers' QOL. Future research is needed to confirm the association between spirituality and caregivers' QOL and whether interventions supporting spirituality could improve their QOL.

Smoking reduction decreases the risk of all cancer, smoking related cancer, and lung cancer. While smoking cessation should be the treatment of choice for smokers, smoking reduction may serve as an alternative strategy for those who cannot quit.

This study showed that exposure to secondhand smoke and blood cadmium levels are associated. Especially, there was a significant association at the workplace. Therefore, social and political efforts for reducing the exposure to secondhand smoke at the workplace are needed in order to promote a healthier working environment for women.