Gangdong-gu runs monthly health classes to prevent diabetes, other chronic diseases

By Shin Sang-yoon, The Herald Business

Seoul's Gangdong-gu announced Thursday that it runs a monthly "Hypertension, Diabetes and Dyslipidemia Health Management Class" on an ongoing basis, aimed at preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease among residents and strengthening their capacity for self-managed care.

According to the Ministry of Statistics' 2024 cause-of-death statistics, heart disease was the second leading cause of death at 65.7 deaths per 100,000 people, while cerebrovascular disease ranked fourth at 48.2. Experts note that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions are largely caused by preceding chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, and that early prevention is critical because many cases show few symptoms in the initial stages.

The health management classes, run by the Gangdong-gu Public Health Center, have placed greater emphasis this year on practical exercises residents can apply in daily life. Participants are particularly encouraged to complete a personalized meal journal to examine their individual eating habits and assess their own health.