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Introduction The distribution of hemoglobin (Hb) levels and the prevalence of anemia are significant public health indicators. The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of Hb levels and the prevalence of anemia according to sex, age group, and region throughout Korea. Methods The study analyzed data on 1 159 298 subjects who received health checkups at 16 health‐promotion centers in 13 Korean cities during 2018. Anemia and its severity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification for Hb levels as follows: mild anemia (11‐12.9 g/dL in males and 11‐11.9 g/dL in females), moderate anemia (10‐10.9 g/dL in both sexes), and severe anemia (<10.0 g/dL in both sexes). Results The Hb level in the general sample was lower in females (13.25 ± 1.13 g/dL, mean ± SD) than in males (15.29 ± 1.22 g/dL). The overall prevalence of anemia was 6.0% (2.98% in males and 8.56% in females), and the prevalence of severe anemia was 0.92% (0.23% in males and 1.51% in females). While the prevalence of anemia increased monotonically with age in males, it was bimodal in females with two peaks at 40‐49 years and ≥80 years. The highest prevalence of anemia in females aged 40‐49 years was attributed to microcytic anemia, while increases in anemia prevalence in males aged ≥50 years and females aged ≥70 years were attributed to macrocytic anemia. Conclusion The distribution of Hb levels and the prevalence of anemia overall and by severity differ according to sex, age group, and region throughout Korea.

Background: Heat tobacco products (HTPs) are emerging in Korea. There are few studies that investigated the rates of HTPs use among military personnel in Korea. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of HTPs experience and use. Also this study aimed to evaluate the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea. Methods: The study subjects were 3,878 military personnel participated health survey for Korean soldiers from November to December in 2018. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea. Results: The HTPs experience and current use rates of study subjects were 17.4% and 8.7%, respectively. And the HTPs experience and current use among military personnel was associated with college/university degree (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.441, 1.377), lance-corporal (aOR 2.049, 5.636), superiors' smoking in military camp (aOR 1.516, 1.567), interest in health (aOR 1.637, 1.571), ever used smoking (aOR 2.817, 3.575), and ever used electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) (aOR 3.129, 1.587). Conclusions:The HTPs experience and current use among military personnel are closely related to educational level, military level, smoking status of the superiors, interests in health, conventional cigarette smoking, and E-cigarette use.

Background: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a predictor for diabetic nephropathy and mortality of cardiovascular disease. Diabetic nephropathy can be prevented by blood glucose and blood pressure control. Koreans have been found to have a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes than Caucasians, despite having normal weights. It is necessary to consider obesity status in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to determine the relationship between MA and hypertension according to obesity status in prediabetes. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted in 1,183 prediabetes, aged 30-70 years with fasting blood glucose levels of 100-125 mg/dL or hemoglobin A1c levels of 5.7-6.4% who health examinees at 16 health promotion centers from 2015 to 2016. Study subjects were classified according to obesity and hypertension. Obesity is defined as body mass index of ≥25 kg/m 2 . Blood pressure was categorized as follows: normal blood pressure, <120/80 mmHg; prehypertension, 120-139/80-89 mmHg; and hypertension,≥140/90 mmHg. We analyzed the relationship between MA and hypertension according to obesity using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: While both prehypertensive and hypertensive subgroups were significantly associated with MA in the nonobese, the hypertensive subgroup was only associated with MA in the obese. In the combined effects of obesity and hypertension, prediabetes with normal weight and hypertension had the highest risk of MA (adjusted odds ratio, 6.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.90-14.10) compared to those with nonobese and normal blood pressure. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that nonobese prediabetes with hypertension would need to be more concerned about MA than do obese prediabetes with hypertension.

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