Seongdong-gu Operates Visiting Health Classes for People with Disabilities

Customized Health Management and Psychological Care for Disabled Individuals Including Oral Exams, Nutrition Education, and Depression Screening by July 10
All Lectures Conducted with Sign Language Interpreters to Improve Medical Accessibility for Hearing and Speech Impaired

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Wono) will operate the "Visiting Health Class for the Disabled" for hearing and speech-impaired individuals affiliated with the local Deaf Association until July 10.

According to the 2023 Disability Survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the prevalence of chronic diseases among disabled persons aged 19 and older is 84.8%, with an average of 2.5 chronic diseases per person.

Additionally, the 2023 Disability Health and Welfare Statistics from the National Rehabilitation Center show that the stress perception rate and depression experience rate among disabled individuals are 12.4%, which is higher compared to the general population (4.7%).

Accordingly, Seongdong-gu will operate various health management education programs for registered disabled members of the Seongdong-gu Deaf Association in four sessions until the 10th.

The health class will provide customized health management services for the disabled, including oral examinations and education, traditional Korean medicine health management, nutrition education, and healthy cooking practice. In cooperation with the Seongdong-gu Mental Health Welfare Center, depression tests and mental health education will also be conducted to support psychological care for the disabled.

In particular, considering the difficulty for hearing and speech-impaired individuals to receive education without sign language interpretation, all courses in this education program will be simultaneously interpreted by sign language interpreters.

The district expects that this health class will improve access to medical information for hearing and speech-impaired individuals, provide opportunities for health management, and enhance their self-health management abilities.

Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "We expect this education to provide opportunities for practicing healthy living to vulnerable disabled groups and help them maintain a healthy life," adding, "We will continue to strive to meet the health needs of the disabled and guarantee their right to health."