Strategy for noncommunicable disease control and prevention

Abstract

The prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) has been continuously increasing due to population ageing and changes in consumption and lifestyle patterns. This global trend is also apparent in the Republic of Korea, reflected in increasing mortality and personal costs for the treatment and management of NCD. Cancers, cerebrovascular diseases, and hypertensive diseases have been the major causes of death in South Korea since 1983. Numerous studies have suggested the need for a sustained comprehensive treatment tailored for individual patients and have recommend the development of a systematic program to manage NCD patients to provide such care. The Korean government has been implementing national NCD management programs since 2000. In 2005, the management of major NCD including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke was included as a major target in the New Health Plan 2010. In 2006, the government established the National Cerebro-Vascular Disease Prevention and Control Policy, and a registry program for the group at high-risk for cardio-vascular disease (hypertension and diabetes) was implemented in 19 cities and counties from 2007, with gradual expansion over time. Recently, in line with the discussions on the reorientation of the health care delivery system movement, the government is to introduce a "clinic-centered NCD management policy" in 2012, which will strengthen the role of primary care clinics as sources of outpatient care for NCD, and will encourage patients to designate a primary care clinic of their choice for their continued care. The WHO global action plan guiding national-level NCD policies requires an NCD prevention and control model at the community level, presenting strategic goals and detailed options for the introduction and application of the approach to communities. It necessary to develop an NCD prevention and control model, consisting of a strategy of community intervention, education for NCD patients, and the enactment of an NCD law that adequately meets the needs of community members.