The number of individuals living with diabetes in Korea has surpassed 6 million. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of individuals living with diabetes in Korea has surpassed 6 million, with over half of adults requiring diabetes management, including those in the pre-diabetes stage.
On Monday, preceding World Diabetes Day (November 14), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released a report on the current status of the disease in South Korea, and recommended efforts for prevention and management.
World Diabetes Day was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to raise awareness about the growing global prevalence of diabetes.
Diabetes refers to a chronic disease caused by an inability to regulate blood sugar levels due to insulin shortage or dysfunction. Without proper management, it can lead to various complications such as cerebral stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, and retinopathies, significantly deteriorating the quality of life for patients and imposing substantial socioeconomic burdens.
As of 2021, the nation’s diabetes prevalence rate stood at 13.6 percent, with approximately 6 million people affected. Including the pre-diabetes prevalence rate of 41.3 percent, 54.9 percent of Korean adults require diabetes management.
Moreover, the diabetes awareness rate remains low at 66.6 percent, and the diabetes treatment rate stands at 62.4 percent, indicating that one-third of individuals with diabetes are unaware of their condition and are not receiving proper treatment.
The early symptoms of diabetes can be unclear but may lead to various complications. Therefore, it is important to be aware of and manage blood sugar levels through regular medical checkups.
For adults over 40 or those in their 20s or 30s with risk factors such as a family medical history, it is advisable to undergo diabetes screening tests annually. Ordinary individuals can check their blood sugar levels once a year through national medical checkups.
Since weight management, exercise, refraining from smoking, drinking in moderation, and a balanced diet can help prevent diabetes and manage blood sugar levels, it is crucial to improve everyday lifestyle habits.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
