The Trend of Chronic Diseases in Korea

한국인의 만성질환

Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, are the leading cause of death and disability in Korea since 1970 due to lifestyle change introduced by urbanization & industrialization. The type of cancer and cardiovascular diseases changes as lifestyle becomes westernized. These diseases account for 4 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of lift of Koreans. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly healthy problems, they are also preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as quitting smoking, being physically active, eating right with moderate alcohol drinking, and maintaining healthy weight can prevent or control the effect of these diseases.