우리나라 환경보건지표 개발 과정과 활용

Abstract

Objectives: The main purpose of this review is to introduce the current status of environmental health indicatorsof Korea and to share our experience of the developmental process of Korean version of environmental healthindicators. Methods: This paper describes 1) the background of environmental health indicators; 2) the ways how wedeveloped environmental health indicators of Korea; 3) the current status of selected indicators; and 4)suggestions for the further policy development. Results: The 6-year long project for the development of environmental health indicator systems in Korea couldprovide outputs on three major distinct aspects on the indicator issues. Firstly, we have developed the rationalprocess/manual so that the government can select and advocate the potential indicators with a relatively objectivemanner. Secondly, we have suggested the potential candidate indicators which can be implemented immediately. We also pooled all indicators in order to evaluate the summary index which we expect to tell the status ofenvironmental health. Third, we provided suggestions on the further utilization of this indicator system. Conclusion: The mission of environmental health policy is to resolve the public health problems occurringbecause of hazardous environment. In order to identify the environmental determinants of the community healthproblems and to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy implemented, these environmental indicators can beused. Therefore, the government should implement this ready-prepared system of environmental healthindicators.