13 Korean Medicine Clinics Participate in Community Health Program
On April 27, Yangcheon-gu in Seoul (Mayor Lee Gijae) announced that it will offer a free "Oriental Medicine Health Promotion Program" that utilizes Korean medicine techniques to help prevent various diseases such as obesity and dementia and to improve residents' health.
Residents participating in Yangcheon-gu's "Oriental Medicine Qigong Exercise Class" with a Korean medicine doctor. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.
This program has been designed to support customized health management throughout the life cycle, ranging from the prevention of geriatric diseases to obesity management for young and middle-aged adults, through Korean medicine-based initiatives.
For residents aged 60 and older, the district operates the "Korean Medicine Dementia Health Promotion Project," which aims to improve cognitive function and suppress the progression of dementia. After conducting dementia screening tests at public health centers and designated Korean medicine clinics, those classified as high-risk based on the results receive Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture for cognitive enhancement and herbal medicine prescriptions, along with health education and counseling.
To facilitate this, the district has established a collaborative network with the Yangcheon-gu Association of Korean Medicine Doctors and the Dementia Relief Center. A total of 13 Korean medicine clinics are participating to provide medical services, education, and counseling.
Last year, among 75 residents aged 60 and older who participated in this project, there was a 30.33% decrease in the degree of Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) compared to before participation, and a 21.04% improvement in the results of the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test (CIST), demonstrating significant positive effects.
At the main building of the Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center, the "Korean Medicine Obesity Management Class" for young and middle-aged adults will begin next month. Divided into three sessions, this eight-week program is held every Thursday and targets residents aged 19 to 55 with severe obesity (body fat percentage of 30% or higher), with up to seven participants per session. In addition to guidance on Korean medicine-based dietary therapy and lifestyle improvement for obesity management, participants receive treatments such as fat-dissolving acupuncture and herbal medicine prescriptions.
At the annex of the Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center, the "Korean Medicine Health Class" and the "Oriental Medicine Qigong Exercise Class" are being offered. The "Korean Medicine Health Class," conducted with a Korean medicine doctor, will be held six times from this month through November, focusing on Korean medicine-based health management methods such as detoxification therapies, brain health, and Parkinson's disease prevention. The "Oriental Medicine Qigong Exercise Class," which applies Tai Chi-based qigong exercises to relieve stress and prevent chronic degenerative diseases, will be held four times through May.
All programs are provided free of charge. Residents who wish to participate can refer to the Yangcheon-gu Public Health Center website or contact the Department of Medicine at Yangcheon-gu Office for more information.
Mayor Lee Gijae stated, "We have prepared an Oriental medicine health promotion program that everyone can participate in, reflecting the health needs of not only the elderly but also young and middle-aged adults, and we hope for active interest. We will continue to discover and expand a variety of health projects that reflect residents' needs in the future."
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