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Lee, Kim, Bang, Choi, Ko, Kim, and Kim: An Analysis of Health Promotion Programs Utilizing Forests based on Korea' Regional Healthcare Program Plans
Original Article

Perspectives in Nursing Science 2014;11(1):10-17.

Published online: 20 April 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16952/pns.2014.11.1.10

An Analysis of Health Promotion Programs Utilizing Forests based on Korea' Regional Healthcare Program Plans

Insook Lee1, Sungjae Kim1, Kyung-Sook Bang1, Heeseung Choi1, Chinkang Ko1, Jieun Kim2, Sunyoung Kim3

1Professor, College of Nursing · The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

2 Phd Student, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

3Master student, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Corresponding author: Bang, Kyung-Sook College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8819, Fax: +82-2-765-4103, E-mail: ksbang@snu.ac.kr

Copyright © 2014 The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The aimof thisstudywas to analyze healthpromotionprograms utilizing forests by reviewingregional healthcareprogramplansinKorea.

Methods

Weanalyzed 227regional healthcareprogramplansfrom2011 to 2014; seven health promotion programs of the 16 major healthcare programs were prescribed by public health law.

Results

Our analysis revealed that only 35 health promotion programs from 29 sites were utilizing forests. Furthermore, of 21 known categories of health promotion programs, only nine incorporated the use of forests. Atopy-asthma healthcare programs were the most common forest health promotion programs, which also included specializeddiseasemanagement programs(e.g., foratopypreventionandhealing, patientswithmetabolic syndromeor cancer) and specialized mentalhealth management programs(e.g., for addictionor dementiapre-vention). Others included programs on the development of forest roads or industrial development using forest products.

Conclusion

Health programs using forests in Korea are still very limited and primarily comprise atopy-asthmaprevention/management, health behavioral change, and mental healthprograms. Thisstudy provided useful information for developing health policies and forest health promotion programs further in Korea.

Keywords: Regional health planning, Forest program, Health promotion, Community healthcare program development

References

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Table 1.
Programs using Forests by Region
Region (n) Community health center Project Program utilizing forests
Seoul (3) Yangcheon-gu Metabolic syndrome management services Forest travel program
Gwanak-gu Maternal and child programs Atopy prevention project – Travel in forest for atopi treatment, Forest schools for atopi treatment.
Gangdong-gu Regional health behavior promotion project Healthy garden experience education for children – "Goodbye Atopi" forest experience class
Busan (2) Seo-gu Adult exercise program project Making Green-way walking map, Trail improvement, Creating recreation spaces in forests. Developing well-being forest trails.
Jin-gu Building healthy village project Making Baekyang forest trails.
Daegu (2) Nam-gu Elderly dementia prevention project Implementation of health examination and cognitive programs – City tour and forest healing program
Suseong-gu Mental health project Healing program for the mentally disabled.
Gwangju (1) Seo-gu Community-based health promotion project Collaboration with community (Korea association of forest expounders): Wellbeing forest trail project
Daejeon (1) Seo-gu Alcohol counseling project Forest experience program
Ulsan (1) Ulju-gun Health behavior promotion project Tailored health care project Walking program with the forest – expounders
Gyounggi (4) Namyangju-si healthy centenarian project Walking program in the Gwang-reung forest
Yongin-si Community health behavior promotion project "Establishment of forests for walking" project
Yang pyeong Community health behavior promotion project Development of the walking courses using agricultural trail, forest trail, neighborhood paths, Establishment of school forest.
Pocheon Atopy, asthma prevention project Experiential learning for atopi patients asthma.- Walking in the pinus forest for atopi treatment.
Gangwon (3) Hoing seoung Tobacco control program Smoking cessations camp Collaborative program with soopchewon –(forest education training center)
Taebaek Atopy, asthma prevention project Walking exercise in forests
Gosung Community health behavior promotion project Forest experience program Forest tending project
Jeonnam (4) Jangsung Atopy, asthma prevention project Naturopathy camp using Cypress tree phytoncide, dyeing programs using phytoncide
– Cypress forest world Public relations for atopi, asthma prevention, Cypress forest experience program
Promoting dyeing industry using phytoncide
Jangheong Cancer management project Phytoncide forest trail experience program.
Development of health-friendly living environment.
Mental health camp "Forest experience program"
Damyang Naturopathy project at Phytoncide forest for atopy, asthma prevention Operating atopi prevention center using natural sources in the bamboo forest.
Goksung Community health behavior promotion project Development of walking courses/trails as part of "forest development project for arthritis prevention"
Chungnam (2) Geumsung Traditional Korean medicine healthcare program Development for health care forest
Seocheon Traditional Korean medicine healthcare program Forest development for.public workers
Jeonbuk (1) Jeonju Healthy city project Development of Cypress forests
Gyeongbuk (2) Gumi Mental health project "Happy together" – Forest healing program
Goreong Atopy prevention project Healthy park system
Gyeongnam (3) Changwon Masan Jinhae Chronic disease prevention and management project Operating cypress forest experience room, gallery, and education room in the atopi and asthma prevention management education center
Geo-je Atopy, asthma prevention project Management of the internet addicted collaboration with forest healing – camp for adolescents
Ham-ahn Chronic disease (hypertension, diabetes) prevention and management project LOHAS (Lifestyle of health and sustainability) walking and jogging club
Table 2.
Health Promotion Programs using Forests by Topics (N=227)
Project (No. of community health center) Program with the forest (Community health center name) n
Tobacco control program (227) Collaborative program with soopchewon (forest education program) (Hoing-seoung, Gangwon-do) 1
Community health behavior promotion project (225) Development of walking courses using Agricultural trail, forest trail, neighborhood paths, Establishment of school forest. (Yang-pyeong, Gyeonggi-do) 4
Healthy garden experience program for children "Goodbye Atopi" forest – experience class (gangdong-gu, Seoul)
Collaboration with community (Korea assocation of forest expounders): Wellbeing forest trail project (Seo-gu, Gwang-ju)
– Tailored health care project Walking programs with the forest expounders (Ul-ju, Ul-san)
Mental health project (226) Mental health camp "Forest experience program" (Jangheong, Jeon-nam) 2
Healing programs for the mentally disabled (Suseong-gu, Dae-gu)
Atopi, asthma prevention project (20) Collaborative camp programs for atopy and asthma between hospital and soopchewon (forest education training center) (Hoing seoung, Gangwon-do) 7
Cypress forest world Public relations for atopi, asthma prevention –(Jang-sung, Jeon-nam)
Experience learning for atopy, asthma.- Walking in the pinus forest (Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do)
Forest experience program for overcoming atopi and asthma (Go-sung, Gangwon-do)
Phytoncide forest trail experience program (Jangheong, Jeon-nam)
Operating atopy prevention center using natural sources in the bamboo forest (Dam-yang, Jeon-nam)
Travel in the forest for atopy, Forest school for atopi (Gwanak-gu, Seoul)
Healthy city project (21) Decorating forests, Development of Natural recreation forests (Pocheon Gyeonggi-do) 3
Composition for health-friendly living environment (Jang-heong, Jeon-nam)
Making Baekyang forest trails (Jin-gu, Busan)
Metabolic syndrome management service (21) Travel program in forests (Yangcheon-gu, Seoul) 1
Healthy lifestyle (adult exercise) practice project (5) Making Green-way walking map, Improvement of trails, Creating recreation spaces in forests. Development of well-being forest trails. (Seo-gu, Busan) 1
Alcohol counseling operation project (3) Forest experience program (Seo-gu, Dae-geon) 1
Health promotion project for adolescent (2) Implementation of health examination and cognitive programs – City tour and forest healing program (Nam-gu, Dae-gu) 2
Forest experience program (Seo-gu, Gwang-ju)
Total 22
Table 3.
Disease-specific Programs using Forests
Classification Disease Program content
Physical health program Atopy/asthma ․ Observing forests
․ Walking/Trekking in forest
․ Exercise in forest
․ Forest bathing
․ Family camping in forest
․ Forest travel (with family)
․ Forest therapy program including ‘atopy/asthma prevention class', ‘education for health leaders involved in atopy/asthma treatment'. ‘atopi/asthma examination', ‘education for managing exercise/diet/stress'. ‘counseling programs for physicians, dietician' in forests ․ Self-help group in forest
․ Self-help group in forest
Cancer ․ Forest bathing
․ Forest therapy program including ‘forest yoga meditation', ‘laughter therapy', ‘mentor-mentee program for overcoming cancer' in forest
Metabolic syndrome ․ Operating community-based exercise programs utilizing community resources such as sports facilities, equipment, and sports club
․ Composing forest road
․ Developing walking courses
․ Developing exercise programs (ex. traveling forests)
․ Activation of walking in nature
Health behavior promotion ․ Walking in forest program(one-off exercise program or 4∼weeks program).
Mental health program Addiction ․ Forest experience program at alcohol counselling center
․ Forest therapy program for the internet addict
Dementia ․ One-weekforest therapyprogramincluded in 8∼weeks dementiaprevention program
Mental health promotion ․ Forest therapy program including ‘walking', ‘horticultural activity', ‘occupational therapy', ‘recreation', ‘music therapy', ‘meditation', ‘reminiscence therapy', ‘gardening activity', ‘art therapy' in forests
Table 4.
Other Specialized Programs
Program Program content
Development of forest trail ․ Making the walking course using agricultural trail, forest trail, neighborhood paths
․ Establishment of school forest
․ Development good course/trails for walking
․ Others: Establishment of mini library in forest
Expansion of industry utilizing forest products ․ Phytoncide mosquito spray for atopy patients
․ Dyed T-shirts using natural dye such as phytoncide
․ Cosmetics made with phytoncide
․ Development of medicine or herbal food using herbs harvested in forests
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