• Joonho Ahn, Jongin Lee, Sang Ha Lee, Min Young Park, and Wanhyung Lee.
• Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2021 May 3; 36 (17): e119.

BackgroundThis study investigates the safety and health status of geographically isolated and confined workers.MethodsThis study was conducted in Baekryeong Island in Korea in 2020. The age-standardized prevalence ratios (aSPR) for occupational injury, unmet medical needs, psychological status, and lifestyle were estimated from the available data. Also, we compared the aSPRs of workers in Baekryeong Island with a reference study population who participated in a nationally representative survey in Korea.ResultsThe study revealed that Baekryeong Island workers had an increased risk of acquiring health and safety problems compared to the general worker population. The island workers showed a significant increase in unmet medical care (aSPR, 5.319; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.984-6.958) and occupational injury (aSPR, 8.371; 95% CI, 3.820-15.892).ConclusionThis study identified the safety and health problems of geographically isolated workers in Baekryeong Island. The risk of occupational injury and unmet medical care are simultaneously highlighted in the region's population, thereby underscoring the importance of prevention.© 2021 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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