First Step in Revising the Term 'Dementia'... First Meeting of the Consultative Body

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Discussions to change the term 'dementia' are set to begin in earnest. This follows concerns that the term 'dementia' causes prejudice against the disease and inflicts unnecessary humiliation on patients and their families.

On the morning of the 16th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held the first meeting of the 'Dementia Terminology Revision Council.' This council consists of about 10 members, including medical professionals, care and welfare experts, and dementia patient family organizations, who can provide expert opinions or report on field situations related to revising dementia terminology. At the first meeting, overseas cases related to dementia terminology and examples of revising other disease names were shared, and future plans for terminology revision were discussed.

The word 'dementia' reflects the Latin medical term 'dementia (mental disorder)' and was translated into Hanja characters meaning 'foolishness.' This term was adopted from Japan and read using Korean pronunciation.

However, since the mid-2000s, there have been calls to revise the term 'dementia' due to its negative connotations, leading several neighboring countries to change the terminology. Specifically, Taiwan revised it to Shiljijeung (失智症) in 2001, Japan to Ninchi-sho (認知症) in 2004, and Hong Kong and China changed it to Noe-toehwa-jeung (腦退化症) in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

Kim Hye-young, Director of the Elderly Health Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will proceed with the revision while fully gathering opinions from the medical community and other sectors regarding alternative terms for dementia." She added, "We will strive to make the revision of dementia terminology an opportunity to improve awareness of dementia and to create a dementia-friendly community."