KDCA Distributes Six Major "Dangdang Guidelines" for Diabetes Prevention and Management
On November 14, in recognition of World Diabetes Day, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced six major guidelines for the prevention and management of diabetes, along with practical instructions. The agency emphasized the importance of forming healthy lifestyle habits through daily practice.
Diabetes is a type of metabolic disease in which insulin secretion is insufficient or does not function properly. It is a chronic disease that ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in Korea. It is generally characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and is associated with a variety of complications, including myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and stroke.
According to the KDCA’s National Health and Nutrition Survey, in 2024, the prevalence of diabetes in Korea increased by 1.3 percentage points among men to 13.3% and by 0.9 percentage points among women to 7.8% compared to 2023. By age group, the prevalence was highest among men in their 60s (35.5%) and among women aged 70 and above (28.5%).
An analysis of data from 2022 to 2024 showed that the awareness, treatment, and control rates (among patients receiving treatment) for diabetes improved for both men and women compared to 2019 to 2021. However, among younger age groups (19-29 and 30-39), all three rates-awareness, treatment, and control-remained significantly lower than in other age groups, indicating the need for targeted outreach to these populations.
In particular, among people with diabetes, the control rate was lower than the awareness and treatment rates. The KDCA explained that this highlights the need for continuous lifestyle improvement and customized education and counseling, as well as ongoing patient monitoring.
To mark World Diabetes Day, the KDCA has developed six major diabetes prevention and management guidelines and practical instructions for each, aiming to enhance diabetes prevention, management, and self-care in daily life. These materials are being produced and distributed as posters, leaflets, card news, and short videos.
Additionally, to raise awareness of diabetes, the KDCA's "Dangdang Guidelines - Diabetes" will be posted on the KDCA website, the National Health Information Portal, local governments, hypertension and diabetes registration management centers, and the Korean Diabetes Association website, making them easily accessible to people of all ages. The agency also plans to actively promote these guidelines through its social media channels, especially targeting people in their 20s and 30s. The "Dangdang Guidelines" (meaning "Prevent and Manage with Confidence and Health!") is the KDCA’s branded set of prevention and management rules, emphasizing that chronic diseases require prevention for everyone and encouraging people to confidently practice these guidelines in their daily lives.
Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "The core strategies for diabetes prevention are a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol consumption. I urge everyone to pay attention to their health by making the six major diabetes prevention and management guidelines a part of their daily lives."
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