[Good Brain 2023] Entering a Super-Aged Society, United Voices on "Brain Health Importance"

The 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' hosted by Asia Economy kicked off on the morning of the 20th at the Westin Chosun Seoul. With the entry into a 'super-aged society'?where the population aged 65 and over exceeds 20%?just two years away, neuroscientists, medical professionals, and health industry experts unanimously emphasized the importance of brain health.

On the 20th, key guests are taking a commemorative photo at the 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' hosted by Asia Economy at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. From the left: Shin Beom-su, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Economy; Kim Young-ok, Planning Director of Korea Health Industry Development Institute; Park Yoon-joo, Director of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Noh Yeon-hong, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Bio Association; Woo Byung-hyun, CEO of Asia Economy; Lee Ki-il, 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare; Yang Dong-won, Chairman of the Korean Dementia Association (Professor of Neurology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital); Jung Jae-joon, CEO of Aribio; Jung Hee-won, Professor of Geriatrics at Asan Medical Center, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the event, Lee Ki-il, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "Due to population aging and the increase in dementia patients, there is growing interest both domestically and internationally in the prevention and treatment of dementia." He promised, "We will strengthen dementia care and medical services so that dementia patients can enjoy living in their own homes rather than in facilities or hospitals." He also explained, "In July 2020, we launched the Dementia Overcoming Research and Development Project Group to support the development of technologies for preventing and treating dementia in Korea," adding, "We continue to invest in research and development for dementia prediction and diagnosis technologies as well as therapeutic drug development." The Ministry of Health and Welfare has established 256 Dementia Safety Centers nationwide to provide systematic counseling and services for dementia patients. It also supports the operation of Dementia Safety Hospitals that offer intensive care for patients requiring hospitalization due to severe dementia symptoms.

As life expectancy increases globally, population aging is progressing rapidly. If the current trend continues, the number of dementia patients in OECD countries is estimated to double by 2050. The estimated number of dementia patients in Korea is 950,000. Looking at the prevalence among the elderly population, 1 in 10 people aged 65 and over has dementia. The national cost for managing dementia patients amounts to 18.7 trillion KRW annually. Next year, when Korea enters the era of 10 million elderly people, the number of dementia patients aged 65 and over is expected to exceed 1 million. Statistics Korea predicts that the national cost for dementia management will increase to 194.2 trillion KRW by 2070.

No Yeon-hong, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, said, "Rapid population aging has caused a sharp increase in brain diseases such as cognitive impairment," adding, "Medical expenses are also rising significantly, requiring effective countermeasures." Chairman No stated, "Brain diseases like dementia and Parkinson's disease not only undermine the dignity of the patients themselves but also make life difficult for their families," and emphasized, "The pharmaceutical and bio industry will strive to develop medicines that treat diseases yet to be overcome, such as dementia, to restore healthy lives to the public."

Woo Byung-hyun, CEO of Asia Economy and the event organizer, noted, "The factors affecting brain diseases are so complex and diverse that conquering dementia immediately is difficult," but added, "Advanced research is underway to identify the causes of dementia and develop treatments, so someday diagnosis and treatment methods will become widespread." CEO Woo expressed confidence, saying, "The lectures by experts researching brain health and dementia will answer questions about how to prevent dementia, how to prepare for a healthy old age, and whether dementia is treatable."

Professor Jeong Heewon of the Department of Geriatrics at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, is delivering the keynote speech on "The Slowly Aging Brain" at the "Good Brain 2023 Conference" hosted by Asia Economy on the 20th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The conference, which discussed topics such as brain health management methods, medical technologies, and policy directions, was attended by Park Yoon-joo, Director of the Food and Drug Safety Evaluation Institute at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Kim Young-ok, Planning Director of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. The event also featured top experts from various fields, including Professor Jung Hee-won of the Department of Geriatrics at Seoul Asan Medical Center, neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-seon, Chairman Yang Dong-won of the Korean Dementia Association (Professor of Neurology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital), Chairman Jung Ki-young of the Korean Sleep Research Society (Professor of Neurology at Seoul National University), Director Muk In-hee of the Dementia Overcoming Research and Development Project Group, Chairman Kim Jae-jin of the Korean Digital Therapeutics Association (Professor of Psychiatry at Gangnam Severance Hospital), Professor Seo Eun-guk of Yonsei University's Department of Psychology, CEO Jung Jae-jun of Aribio, and CEO Kang Sung-ji of Welt.