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

Purpose:The aim of this study was to analyze health promotion programs utilizing forests by reviewing regional healthcare program plans in Korea.Methods:Weanalyzed 227 regional healthcare program plans from 2011 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 in-cluded specialized diseasemanagement programs (e.g., for atopy prevention and healing, patients withmetabolic syndrome or cancer) and specialized mental health management programs (e.g., for addiction or dementia pre-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 ato-py-asthma prevention/management, health behavioral change, and mental health programs. This study provide