The Start of the South of Seoul Public Health Program
Since 2015, South of Seoul volunteers have supported the English-speaking international community living in South Korea. When COVID-19 swept across the country, the lack of access to critical information related to healthcare for the international community became evident. After observing such struggles within the international community, South of Seoul volunteers began developing the new South of Seoul Public Health Program. Such an initiative aimed at increasing knowledge about primary health care among the English-speaking international population in South Korea.
Listen to the BlogCast
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South of Seoul partnering with University of Utah Grad Student in the name of Public Health
Over the last few months, South of Seoul has been working with a University of Utah Asia Campus alumni, Lisa Peck, to establish the South of Seoul Public Health Program. Ms. Peck holds a Master’s in Public Health in addition to a Bachelor’s in Linguistics and in International Studies with an emphasis on global health from the University of Utah. Ms. Peck has lived in Korea for over 12 years and has a passion for helping her community.
What does data collection look like for the South of Seoul Public Health Program?
In the next few weeks, South of Seoul will be conducting a foundational survey. Such a survey aims to gather general information on the English-speaking international community’s access to primary health care in South Korea. The collected information will include:
- basic demographics
- social support information
- integration information
- personal cultural competencies
- perceptions of access to basic/primary healthcare
All data collected in this survey will remain anonymous. Data will not be tied to the respondent’s identity in any way.
Participate in the South of Seoul Public Health Survey
South of Seoul will utilize social media channels to distribute the survey to the English-speaking international community across South Korea. Any and all international residents of Korea are welcome to participate in this survey. The survey will be open from Monday, July 12th until Sunday, July 25th 2021. Feel free to share this survey with anyone interested in participating. The more respondents, the better the data. The more data, the more South of Seoul can advocate for improved public health information for international residents.
Why is the South of Seoul Public Health Program Important?
This research aims to gain an understanding of where gaps in knowledge about primary healthcare exist. Identifying the biggest struggles in access to primary healthcare for our international community allows South of Seoul to tailor their research to fit the public’s need. The South of Seoul team strives to provide information that gives the community the ability to build autonomy and advocate for themselves regarding primary healthcare needs.
How to stay updated on the South of Seoul Public Health Program
Information gathered from the SOS Public Health survey will help to fill the gaps in knowledge on healthcare access. Relevant information will be shared in blogs, newspaper articles, and advocacy presentations.
Stay updated on this research by following the SOS Public Health Facebook page and Instagram accounts. Join the Health and Wellness in Korea Facebook Group to ask questions and learn more about health related topics in Korea.
Apply for an SOS Public Health Practicum Opportunity
Are you a graduate student looking for practical experience in public health? Apply for a an SOS Public Health Practicum! Click below to learn more about the SOS Public Health Practicum Program.
Research Design & Implementation Team
Intern Supervisor & Editor
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
Primary Researcher & Author
Ms. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis.
Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC.
In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation.
