Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the current status of infectious disease response personnel and organizations in local governments within the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon). This survey was designed to foster development of infectious disease prevention and management plans and to strengthen response capabilities. Herein, we present the results of a survey on infectious disease response capabilities at local government levels including city, county, and district levels within the metropolitan area, that are facing unique administrative and physical challenges following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a survey using 42 detailed indicators and targeting infectious disease response personnel belonging to infectious disease response units in city, county, and district governments to investigate their infectious disease response capacities. Results: Infectious disease management in local governments within the metropolitan area operates under a "team" structure, subordinate to "department" in over 50% of cases. More than 50% of the infectious disease response department staff were either full-time or dedicated. Significant differences were identified between the local governments within the region regarding the composition of city, county, and district infectious disease patient transfer councils and the proportions of professional civil servants and physicians responding to infectious diseases. Conclusions: Local government infectious disease team leaders are expected to play significant roles in maintaining and managing infectious disease response capabilities. Furthermore, policies are required to reduce the differences between regions, local governments within a region, and indicators with high coefficients of variation. Ongoing investigations into infectious disease response capabilities are necessary. The data reported herein can serve as a foundation for policy development.
Source: Public Health Weekly Report
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Award: G733214633
OpenAlex ID: W7126059431