180-day intensive health management program targets 40 residents aged 19–64 with hypertension or diabetes; pharmacists, dietitians and exercise specialists to lead sessions on medication, diet and physical activity
[The Herald Business = Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] The Dongdaemun-gu Public Health Center in Seoul launched the expert in-person education component of its "Mobile Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar 180-Day Project" on Tuesday, a key phase of the district's systematic management program for patients in the early stages of hypertension and diabetes.
The project got underway after Dongdaemun-gu was selected in February as one of only two Seoul autonomous districts chosen for the city's "ICT Chronic Disease Management Service Participating Institution" public recruitment program. The district completed preliminary health screenings for 40 residents — selected through an open recruitment process in April — and has since begun full operation of the health management program.
Participants with diabetes will receive additional glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests at the three-month and six-month marks of the program, on top of the initial screening, to enable more precise ongoing monitoring. All participants have been issued a smartwatch, blood pressure monitor and blood glucose meter that sync in real time with a dedicated mobile app, and are already receiving daily mobile coaching after completing device training.
The in-person education sessions were designed to give participants — who have been logging daily blood pressure and blood sugar data through the mobile platform — practical, expert-led information on managing chronic conditions. Classes will be held in Meeting Room 2 on the first below-ground floor of the Dongdaemun-gu Office, with two sessions offered separately for each condition.
Hypertension sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, and Monday, June 9, while diabetes sessions will be held on Friday, June 5, and Thursday, June 12.
The first session will open with a program briefing followed by a pharmacist-led class on proper medication use and management for chronic diseases. The second session will feature a dietitian covering condition-specific dietary therapy and an exercise specialist providing hands-on physical activity guidance aimed at lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
The district will also provide participants with customized "blood pressure and blood sugar health management kits" to support self-care at home. Diabetes patients will receive a blood glucose consumables kit, while hypertension patients will receive a healthy multigrain set to help improve dietary habits — both aimed at sustaining participants' health practices through to program completion.
Over the 180-day program, participants will receive one-on-one personalized coaching through the dedicated app from a public health center team comprising doctors, nurses, dietitians and exercise specialists. Upon completion, a final health checkup will allow participants to see measurable improvements in their health indicators.
"This in-person education is the core component of a smart health service that combines daily mobile management with offline expert instruction," said Kim Ki-hyun, the district's deputy mayor serving as acting district mayor. "We will do our utmost to help residents effectively manage chronic diseases and maintain healthy lives, backed by a support system in which doctors, pharmacists, dietitians and exercise specialists work together."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
