Meteorological factors and air pollutants are associated with respiratory diseases, and appropriate use of weather and air quality information is helpful in the management of patients with such diseases. This study was performed to investigate both the utilization of weather and air quality information by, and the needs of, patients with respiratory diseases. Questionnaires were administered to 112 patients with respiratory diseases, 60.7% of whom were female. The rates of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients were 67.0% and 10.7%, respectively. The majority of subjects (90%) responded that prevention was important for respiratory disease management and indicated that they used weather and air quality information either every day or occasionally. However, respondents underestimated the importance of weather and air quality information for disease management and were unaware of some types of weather information. The subjects agreed that respiratory diseases were sensitive to weather and air quality. The most important weather-related factors were diurnal temperature range, minimum temperature, relative humidity, and wind, while those for air quality were particulate matter and Asian dust. Information was gleaned mainly from television programs in patients aged 60 years and older and from smartphone applications for those below 60 years of age. The subjects desired additional information on the management and prevention of respiratory diseases. This study identified problems regarding the utility of weather and air quality information currently available for patients with respiratory diseases, who indicated that they desired disease-related information, including information in the form of action plans, rather than simple health- and air quality-related information. This study highlights the necessity for notification services that can be used to easily obtain information, specifically regarding disease management.

Abstract
 1. 서 론
 2. 연구방법
  2.1. 설문대상
  2.2. 설문내용
  2.3. 자료분석
 3. 결과
  3.1. 설문대상자의 임상적 특징
  3.2. 호흡기건강에 대한 관심도
  3.3. 보건기상정보 활용현황
  3.4. 호흡기질환과 보건기상요인 연관성에 대한 인식도조사
  3.5. 보건기상정보 요구도 조사
 4. 고 찰
 5. 결 론
 REFERENCES

• 조은정(부산대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) | Eun-Jung Jo (Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine)
• 박혜경(부산대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) | Hye-Kyung Park (Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine) Corresponding author
• 김창훈(부산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) | Chang-Hoon Kim (Department of Preventive Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine)
• 원경미(부산대학교 환경연구원) | Kyung-Mi Won (The Institute of Environmental Studies, Pusan National University)
• 김유근(부산대학교 환경연구원) | Yoo-Keun Kim (The Institute of Environmental Studies, Pusan National University)
• 정주희(부산대학교 환경연구원) | Ju-Hee Jeong (The Institute of Environmental Studies, Pusan National University)
• 안혜연(부산대학교 지구환경시스템학부) | Hye Yeon An (Division of Earth Environmental System, Pusan National University)
• 황미경(부산대학교 환경연구원) | Mi-Kyoung Hwang (The Institute of Environmental Studies, Pusan National University)