Review the Change of Chronic Disease Care in Korea

Abstract

Globally, chronic diseases have a high burden and are a significant factor affecting society, such as through economic productivity and deepening social inequality. Deaths from chronic diseases in Korea accounted for 79.6% of all deaths as of 2021, and medical expenses from chronic diseases in Korea accounted for 85.0% of all national medical expenses as of 2020. Since the 1970s, chronic disease management in Korea has focused on projects such as acute infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and family planning by region, sporadically centered on universities. Since then, the importance of prevention and management of chronic diseases has been highlighted, and a comprehensive plan for national health promotion was established in 2002 to provide policy support. Here, we looked at the progress of the chronic disease management project and its effects and review suggestions for efficient establishment of a primary medical chronic disease management project to be carried out in the future.