The Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch a blood sugar management support project for 1,000 residents in the pre-diabetic stage, using continuous glucose monitors linked to its health management app. The initiative, connected to the city's "Sonmok Doctor 9988" app, aims to help residents track real-time changes in their blood sugar levels as part of their daily lives. To encourage participation, the city will offer continuous glucose monitors at a 45% discount.
The city announced Monday that it is launching the program, called "Hyeoldang Catch 9988," a blood sugar management support project, in partnership with Daewoong Pharma.
The project targets 1,000 residents with fasting blood sugar levels of 100 to 125 mg/dL — the pre-diabetic range — as identified through metabolic syndrome screenings at public health centers. Residents who have undergone the screening can join the program by syncing their results with the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app.
Participants can purchase a continuous glucose monitor and a linked blood sugar management app subscription at more than 45% off the regular price.
A two-monitor set with an app subscription is discounted from 233,900 won ($169) to 134,000 won, while a single-monitor set drops from 139,900 won to 75,000 won — roughly half the original price in each case.
The city will also provide follow-up support through the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app. The app's blood sugar management page displays key indicators — including a blood sugar score and average glucose levels — based on data from the monitor. Residents who engage in healthy behaviors such as walking or visiting a public health center can earn reward points.
Daewoong Pharma plans to work with public health centers to provide device usage education and blood sugar management consultations, helping participants build healthier lifestyle habits.
The city said blood sugar management programs using continuous glucose monitors have shown meaningful results.
In a two-week program Daewoong Pharma conducted in February with 20 participants who had abnormal blood sugar readings, average daily blood sugar levels fell by 15 mg/dL on average.
One male participant in his 50s saw his average daily blood sugar drop from 126.3 mg/dL to 113.3 mg/dL, bringing him from the pre-diabetic range down to normal levels.
In a separate four-week program conducted in May 2024 with 18 female participants who had a waist circumference of 85 centimeters, average waist circumference shrank by 6.14 centimeters.
Residents who wish to join can apply through the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app starting Sept. 9. Applicants should first undergo a metabolic syndrome screening at a nearby public health center and sync the results with the app before registering. Continuous glucose monitors will be delivered starting Sept. 29, and participants can begin the blood sugar management program in October.
"The significance of this program lies in helping residents go beyond simply measuring their blood sugar — they can directly see the relationship between blood sugar changes and their lifestyle habits, and translate that into healthier behavior," said Jo Yeong-chang, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Citizen Health Bureau. He added that the city would continue to support residents in managing their blood sugar systematically in their daily lives.
ken@heraldcorp.com
