Korean Policy on Young Children's Environmental Health

Abstract

In this paper, we will mainly address policy issues for promoting young Korean children’s environmental health. In specific, we will, first, discuss the global actions of promoting a healthy lifestyle which was established based on WHO’s MEME (Multiple Exposures-Multiple Effects) model and Children’s Environmental Health Indicators (CEHI). Second, we present and analyze current recent laws and regulations on children’s environmental health in Korea by using the MEME model and CEHI. Third, we suggest future directions for establishing policy on young children’s environmental health. One of our suggestions is to apply the MEME model and implement the CEHI for promoting young children’s environmental health. We also suggest that environmental education should be used as an indicator of exposure to the environment rather than as a way of prevention and intervention. Finally, we suggest establishing a Children’s Environmental Health Office which governs all matters of children’s health.