[The Editors' Verdict] A Healthy Brain Means Lower Taxes

The brain is one of the most important organs in our body. It allows us to think, remember, and forget. It weighs about 1.5 kg. Of this, 73% (about 1.1 kg) is water. Of the approximately 400 g excluding water, 60% is fat. The brain is the organ with the highest fat content in the body. Inside this mass of gray and white matter are about 100 billion nerve cells and billions of nerve fibers. The nerve cells function properly by connecting through numerous junctions called synapses. Information travels inside the brain at speeds of up to 400 km/h or more. The brain is the control tower that governs everything about humans. Therefore, although it accounts for only 2 to 2.5% of body weight, it uses 20% of energy and oxygen intake.

Our brain is in danger. Various neurological diseases such as dementia including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder are rapidly increasing. Among these, dementia is the most threatening. As of 2020, there were about 840,000 dementia patients in South Korea. About 130,000 people suffer from mild cognitive impairment, which has a high likelihood of progressing to dementia. About 30% of elderly people aged 85 and older have dementia. The number of dementia patients in South Korea is expected to increase to about 2.17 million by 2040 and 3.32 million by 2060. Research shows that there are at least 6 million Alzheimer's-type dementia patients in the United States. One in three elderly people in the U.S. died due to dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the number of dementia patients worldwide will approach 140 million by 2050. As human lifespan increases, dementia is becoming a disaster.

The social costs associated with this are skyrocketing. In 2020 alone, the total dementia management cost in South Korea was 17.3 trillion won. This is about 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is estimated to soar to 56 trillion won by 2040 and 109 trillion won by 2060. The personal burden is also considerable. The direct medical cost for a dementia patient (11 million won) plus various indirect costs raised the annual related management cost per dementia patient to 20.61 million won in 2020. This exceeds 33% of the average household income of 61.93 million won. This means that one dementia patient requires spending one-third of the household income.

The cause of Alzheimer's-type dementia is unclear. There is no cure. However, it is not a disease that is completely impossible to prevent. Mild cognitive impairment, known as the pre-stage of dementia, or maintaining a normal state can prevent or slow the progression to dementia. Healthy eating habits, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise are basic. Experts say that reducing stress and maintaining social relationships also help prevent dementia.

The government introduced the "National Responsibility System for Dementia" in 2017 and has increased support. The burden for severe dementia was reduced through the National Health Insurance. Dementia Safety Centers supporting dementia patients have been established nationwide, with 256 locations. These policies have indeed provided considerable help to dementia patients and their families.

However, strong policies for dementia prevention are not yet visible. It is necessary to make the public aware of the risks of dementia before entering middle and old age. It is also necessary to encourage individuals to take care of their health in advance before dementia occurs. Dementia prevention methods are not much different from general health management. Preventing dementia can also reduce the prevalence of other diseases. Of course, it is also a great help to the National Health Insurance finances and national finances. It means that the public can pay less in health insurance premiums and taxes.