Muju County Launches and Operates 'Health Notification Talk Channel'

Consultation on Smoking Cessation, Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity

Muju County in North Jeolla Province has launched and begun full-scale operation of its 'Health Notification Talk (KakaoTalk) Channel.'

According to the county on May 16, the Health Notification Talk was established to facilitate communication with local residents on health-related matters by utilizing an accessible platform. The channel provides information and counseling on smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, obesity, Korean medicine, alcohol moderation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and rehabilitation.

Exterior view of Muju County Office. Provided by Muju County.

The channel is operated by a team of nine experts, including nurses and administrative staff from the public health center, chronic disease managers, exercise prescription specialists, nutritionists, smoking cessation counselors, and physical therapists. Real-time counseling is available through the channel from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while outside of these hours, automated responses are provided based on pre-registered keywords.

Park Hayoung, head of the Health Promotion Team at Muju County Public Health Center, stated, "We will utilize the Notification Talk channel as a means to promote useful health information and various public health projects, making it an opportunity to enhance residents' self-health management capabilities and the overall health level of the community." She added, "We will do our best to ensure that prompt and accurate information, as well as easy-to-understand and engaging project details, are shared."

Meanwhile, the county plans to strengthen its health promotion capacity this year through customized public health projects for residents. Efforts include: conducting countywide campaigns to enhance self-management and awareness of chronic diseases; creating environments that encourage healthy lifestyle practices; and expanding and operating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention programs tailored to each stage of life.