"Guardian of Community Health" Public Health Medical Center
A Wide Range of Services for a Vibrant Senior Life
What is the most urgent health issue identified by residents of Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province?
According to a survey, the top priorities were the management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as cancer and dementia. Other major threats to health included lack of exercise, stress, and nutritional imbalance.
This was the result of a community health survey conducted by Cheongsong County, which commissioned Daegu Catholic University to survey 900 residents between May and July of last year. Based on these findings, the Cheongsong County Public Health Medical Center is expanding its tailored health promotion programs in earnest, serving as a "guardian" of community health.
Cheongsong County Dementia Safety Center.
▲ Active Health Promotion Programs Focused on "Increasing Walking Practice Rate"
The flagship health promotion initiative led by the Cheongsong County Public Health Medical Center is the "Walking Practice Rate Improvement Program."
The "Run for Your Life!" program, which has been running for several years, is a well-known walking campaign among Cheongsong residents. Participants are recruited both online and offline, with notifications and exercise information provided through a mobile band. The program challenges participants to walk 8,000 steps a day for at least 20 days a month, and currently has around 2,000 members.
For seniors who have difficulty using mobile apps, the "Walking Stamp Challenge Program" is in place. From January 1 to November 30 this year, 680 seniors in Cheongsong-eup, Hyeondong-myeon, and Jinbo-myeon are participating. They walk designated courses within their villages and collect stamps at specified locations. Those who meet the monthly attendance goal receive commemorative gifts. Each village appoints a "health guardian" to manage attendance and stamp books, and resident participation remains consistently high.
The "Eounwan" (Senior Strength and Balance Exercise Completion) program, designed to prevent falls and improve sarcopenia among seniors, is also receiving a positive response. This year, it was held in two sessions (February to April and July to September), each lasting 10 weeks with weekly meetings at eight senior centers in different areas.
Participants' physical fitness and obesity levels were measured to highlight the importance of exercise, and activities included full-body strength training and stretching using bands and mats, as well as fall prevention education. A low-sodium, low-calorie healthy meal plan was also provided.
The "Let's Get Healthy Together GYM Program," open to all residents, is also gaining popularity. It operates from March to June and July to October, with a two-month focus on self-directed exercise and dietary management aimed at reducing body fat. Commemorative gifts are awarded based on the amount of body fat lost, as measured during the program.
The "Metabolic Syndrome Escape Program" is a specialized, tailored initiative for high-risk health groups. Thirty participants are selected to meet twice a week for 12 weeks, during which their basic body composition is measured and they engage in strength training using dumbbells and other equipment. A low-sodium, low-calorie diet is provided, participants are guided to keep food diaries, and one-on-one counseling helps them set and achieve personal health goals.
Other systematic obesity management programs, such as "I Exercise Alone" and "Elementary School Obesity Prevention Exercise Class," are also being run, with personalized exercise counseling increasing each year.
▲ Seniors Learn to Self-Monitor Blood Pressure and Diabetes Through Education
The Cheongsong County Public Health Medical Center is also making every effort to manage chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes by visiting senior centers in each town and township annually.
This year, a "Hypertension and Diabetes Self-Management Program" was conducted for 29 seniors at senior centers in Pacheon-myeon and Andeok-myeon. Each participant was lent a blood pressure monitor and a glucose meter, and taught how to use them. Based on their measurements, weekly problem-based learning (PBL) sessions were held for eight weeks.
In addition, salt content in soup was tested to encourage low-sodium diets, and blood and urine tests were conducted to assess disease status and detect complications early.
Seniors who participated in the program showed reduced blood pressure and a significant improvement in awareness and self-efficacy regarding blood pressure management.
From June 30 to August 29, a "Hypertension and Diabetes Classroom" was held for 160 seniors at 10 senior centers in Andeok-myeon, with weekly sessions over four weeks. A public health doctor provided education focused on diet and exercise management, and time was set aside for participants to share their experiences. Eight local health clinics are also running their own "Hypertension and Diabetes Classrooms."
Mental health promotion is also a priority. To support emotional stability for seniors living alone, such as addressing depression and anxiety, specialized staff at the Mental Health Welfare Center are actively conducting mental health screenings for the elderly, emotional support projects, and disaster mental health and psychological support programs.
Additionally, the "Heartbeat 2040 Challenge" was conducted for 37 employees of the Cheongsong Pumped Storage Power Plant and Juwangsan National Park Office.
Throughout September, a "Red Circle Prevention and Management Week" campaign is being conducted to prevent cardiovascular diseases among local residents. Activities include distributing self-produced QR codes (with promotional videos and quizzes), handing out QR code-embedded paper cups at public institutions, encouraging participation via social media, and promoting the campaign to visitors at the medical center.
The "AI-IoT Senior Health Management Program," targeting 150 seniors aged 65 or older with chronic diseases who can use smartphones, is also receiving a strong response.
▲ Dementia Center Receives Ministry of Health and Welfare "A" Grade for Detailed Services
The medical center has also established an independent Dementia Safety Center under its management, in recognition of the fact that the dementia prevalence rate among local seniors aged 65 or older is higher than the national average. The center provides accurate dementia information to residents and delivers a continuum of management services tailored to the cognitive health of seniors, thereby improving the quality of life for seniors with dementia, high-risk groups, and healthy seniors alike.
The main initiative is the "Early Dementia Screening Project," which has been running from January to October this year for seniors aged 60 and above. The project supports on-site cognitive screening at senior centers, intensive screening for high-risk groups, and covers the cost of dementia diagnostic tests in partnership with contracted hospitals.
For dementia patients and their families, a "Customized Case Management and Family Support Program" is provided. This includes support for dementia medication costs, provision of care items such as diapers, and operation of respite programs for dementia patients.
Other key initiatives include the operation of dementia-friendly villages, dementia-safe certified businesses, dementia leadership organizations, dementia prevention classes, and cognitive enhancement classes, as part of the "Dementia Overcoming Management Program." The "Dementia Public Guardianship Support Program" identifies and supports candidates for public guardianship.
The Cheongsong-gun Dementia Safety Center received the highest "A" grade in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's evaluation of 126 centers nationwide this year. Only 13 centers nationwide, including eight in county-level areas, achieved this grade, with Cheongsong County being one of them.
▲ Recognized for Excellence in Oral Health, to Receive Minister of Health and Welfare Award
The medical center is also making significant efforts in senior oral health, having been selected as a pilot area for the North Gyeongsang Province "Senior Oral Health Management Program" this year.
The "Give Us Your Old Toothbrush, We'll Give You a New One" program is especially well received by residents. Every three months, residents can exchange one used toothbrush for a new one. In addition, the "Let's Live Healthily Together" program is being run at four social welfare facilities and senior centers, providing weekly fluoride mouth rinses for 80 seniors who can manage their own oral hygiene or have dental prostheses.
The Cheongsong County Public Health Medical Center has been selected as an excellent oral health institution and is scheduled to receive a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare on September 26.
▲ Community-Based Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities, Popular Home Visit Oriental Medicine Services
Given that Cheongsong County has the third largest population of people with disabilities in North Gyeongsang Province, the medical center is actively promoting "community-based rehabilitation" programs to provide systematic rehabilitation services, promote recovery, and enhance social participation. Programs include home-visit rehabilitation services, rehabilitation exercise programs for people with disabilities, and rehabilitation equipment rental services. A community rehabilitation council has also been formed to strengthen cooperation and resource sharing within the community.
The "Visiting Home and Oriental Medicine Health Management Program," targeting people with disabilities, home-based cancer patients, and other vulnerable groups, is also well received by those in need.
In particular, home-visit oriental medicine treatments (such as acupuncture), constitution-based preventive education, management of cerebrovascular diseases, and dementia prevention education are popular among vulnerable patient groups.
To prevent and detect cancer early, the "Visiting Cancer Prevention Class" is run year-round, offering national cancer screening education, daily cancer prevention guidelines, and distribution of stool sample containers. Notably, Cheongsong County ranked first in North Gyeongsang Province in the first half of this year, with a national cancer screening participation rate of 27.3%.
▲ Three Villages Designated as Healthy Villages, Operated by Residents
Another major health management initiative led by the Cheongsong County Public Health Medical Center is the active operation of the Healthy Village Project. While it is difficult to operate even one such project at the county level, Cheongsong-eup, Hyeondong-myeon, and Jinbo-myeon each have their own Healthy Village Projects, all operated autonomously by residents.
Above all, the three Healthy Villages in Cheongsong County boast high resident participation rates. This year, the villages have offered programs such as health exercise classes taught by resident instructors, a resident-led walking stamp challenge for those less familiar with mobile technology, resident-proposed health projects, the "Open the Door to Happy Memories" project, and the "Eounwan" exercise class led by resident instructors.
County Mayor Yoon Kyunghee stated, "As we enter the era of 100-year lifespans, it is most important that our seniors live healthy and happy lives. Cheongsong County will invest more budget and manpower to do our utmost in building a healthy Cheongsong."
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