Epidemiology and Health

COVID-19: Cohort Profile

Cohort profile: Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center COVID-19 Mental Health Survey (CC-MHS): Sun Jae Jung, Dongkyu Lee, Ji Su Yang, Sunghyuk Kang, Hyejin Kim, Jeong Hyun Ahn, Yunseong Heo, Jieun Noh, Changhyun Kim, Hyeon Chang Kim; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025033. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025033

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Abstract Summary PDF: Abstract
The Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center COVID-19 Mental Health Survey (CC-MHS) is a comprehensive longitudinal cohort study investigating the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic by utilizing pre-existing baseline data from the Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center cohort (2013-2018). This study assesses physical health, lifestyle changes, and mental health using validated tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and evaluates a population of urban and suburban Korean participants across multiple dimensions. Through online surveys, the research identified gender-specific social support mechanisms, showing that men benefit from larger social networks, whereas women derive protective effects from stronger emotional connections. Key findings underscore complex interactions among demographic factors, psychological variables, and public health responses, especially in the context of vaccination attitudes and trust in pandemic management. The CC-MHS delivers critical insights into mental health trajectories during global health crises, offering valuable evidence for developing adaptive public health strategies and for understanding the intricate relationships between individual psychological resilience and broader societal health challenges.; Summary

Korean summary
본 CC-MHS 코호트는 팬데믹 이전 4,060명 대상 CMERC 기초자료 활용하였다 본 CC-MHS 코호트는 우울, 불안, PTSD 등 정신건강 평가를 7차례 추적조사하였다. 본 코호트에서는 성별 보호요인과 사회적 지지·신뢰의 중요성 규명하였다.

Key Message
In CC-MHS, we utilized pre-pandemic baseline data from 4,060 adults in the CMERC cohort. We conducted 7 waves of mental health surveys assessing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and resilience. In this cohort, we identified gender-specific protective factors and emphasized the importance of social support and trust.

Original Article

Identifying factors associated with mental health status following climate-related disasters: a nationwide longitudinal panel study in Korea: Eunjin Oh, Jaelim Cho, Changsoo Kim, Hyungryul Lim, Kyoung-Nam Kim; Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025014. Published online March 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025014

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Despite the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, identifying factors associated with mental health status remains challenging. This study aimed to determine the factors linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following heavy rainfall and typhoons.
METHODS
National data on climate-related disaster victims (n=825 for heavy rainfall and n=1,220 for typhoon) from a longitudinal panel in Korea (“Long-term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victims”) and data from individuals unaffected by disasters (n=893) were used. Generalized linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the factors associated with mental health status following climate-related disasters.
RESULTS
Greater disaster severity (e.g., experiencing casualties or asset loss) was associated with higher scores for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised). The association between casualty experience and anxiety score was more pronounced among individuals over 65 years (β [log-transformed score], 1.39; standard error [SE], 0.26; p<0.001), female respondents (β, 1.20; SE, 0.20; p<0.001), those with a low education level (β, 1.18; SE, 0.25; p<0.001), and those with a low income (β, 1.45; SE, 0.26; p<0.001) compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings may help guide targeted interventions and shape public health policies and disaster management strategies that prioritize mental health support for the most at-risk populations, ultimately increasing community resilience to climate-related challenges.; Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 기후 관련 재난 후 우울증, 불안, PTSD와 관련된 요인을 파악하였다. 재난의 심각도가 클수록 정신 건강 악화는 더 심각하였으며 특히 노인, 여성, 낮은 교육 수준과 소득을 가진 취약한 그룹이 더 큰 위험에 처해 있었다. 이 결과는 향후 재난 대응에서 이러한 인구집단을 지원하기 위한 맞춤형 정신 건강 개입과 정책의 필요성을 시사한다.

Key Message
We identified factors associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD following climate-related disasters, highlighting that greater disaster severity correlates with worse mental health outcomes. Vulnerable groups, such as older adults, women, those with lower education and income, are at higher risk. The findings suggest the need for targeted mental health interventions and policies to support these populations in future disaster responses.

Systematic Review

Non-cancer health risks in firefighters: a systematic review: Jeong Ah Kim, Soo Yeon Song, Wonjeong Jeong, Jae Kwan Jun; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022109. Published online November 16, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022109

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9 Web of Science
9 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

osFirefighters are occupationally exposed to hazardous factors that may increase their risk of disease. However, non-cancer disease risk in firefighters has not been systematically examined. This systematic review aimed to identify non-cancer disease risk in firefighters and determine whether the risk differs according to job characteristics. We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and KoreaMed databases using relevant keywords from their inception to April 30, 2021. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies version 2.0 was used to assess the quality of evidence. Due to study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was presented. The systematic literature search yielded 2,491 studies, of which 66 met the selection and quality criteria. We confirmed that the healthy worker effect is strong in firefighters as compared to the general population. We also identified a significant increase in the incidence of lumbar disc herniation, lower back pain, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters compared to other occupational groups. Contradictory results for the risk of PTSD and anxiety disorders related to rank were reported. Sufficient evidence for increased risk of lumbar disc herniation, lower back pain, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and PTSD was available. The risk of non-cancer diseases varied depending on job type, years of service, and rank. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results because the classification criteria for firefighters’ jobs and ranks differ by country.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 소방관과 비암성 질환과의 직업관련성을 파악하기 위해 체계적 문헌고찰을 수행하였다. 소방관은 근골격계 질환, 협심증, 심근경색, 외상후 스트레스 장애 등 일부 질환에서 일관된 직업관련성이 보고되었다. 하지만 대부분의 연구에서 연구결과가 건강근로자효과의 영향을 보정하지 못하였고 근무형태, 근무조건, 근무강도 등에 따라 일관되지 못한 결과를 보고하고 있다.

Key Message
In firefighters, risks of lumbar disc herniation, lower back pain, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and post-traumatic stress disorder were increased constantly. Due to the failure to avoid the healthy-worker effect, consistent relationship between firefighters and non-cancerous diseases has not been reported.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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