PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.21, May 20, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and Surveillance

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-05-20

  0 464 366

  Propulsion status of a community-based hypertension and diabetes control program

  Seo Soon-yeoung, Kim Hye-ji, Oh Hyun-kyung, Lee Seon-kui

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(21): 1414-1421

  

  

  Abstract

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  Due to the rapid aging of the Korean population, the number of hypertension and diabetes patients is increasing. However, the level of hypertension and diabetes care management for residents of Korean is not high. In 2007, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) initiated "The Community-based Hypertension and Diabetes Registry Program" to prevent and manage hypertension and diabetes. In 2021, 31 local governments participated in the program through the promotion of region specific projects.
  Since the start of the program, the number of registered patients, participating clinics and pharmacies, registered patients counseling performance, blood pressure and blood glucose control rates, etc. has both increased and improved, However expansive application across all regions have been constrained due to limitations in budgets and other contributing factors, To improve project results and achieve the initiative’s initial objective of analyzing the community-based hypertension and diabetes control program, continued government efforts, such as consultation with related institutions, are necessary.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-05-20

  0 237 116

  Establishment of an optimal management strategy for older patients with hypertension

  Choi Jung-Yeon, Kim Kwang-il, Park Ji-Hye, Lee Seung Hee, Kim Won-Ho

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(21): 1422-1433

  

  

  Abstract

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  It has been estimated that a quarter of the adults worldwide have hypertension and this rate is expected to go up with the increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. In addition, with the world population aging, the prevalence of hypertension is expected to increase. There is a lot of evidence supporting the benefit of anti-hypertensive treatment among older adults, but the optimal target blood pressure for hypertension in older adults is uncertain, especially among patients with multimorbidity and frailty. This study conducted the ‘HOW to Optimize eLDerly systolic Blood Pressure’ (HOWOLD-BP) trial study. The aim of the trial was to evaluate whether an intensive treatment (systolic blood pressure ≤ 130 mmHg) provides more benefits in lowering cardiovascular events than a standard treatment (systolic blood pressure ≤140 mmHg) in older hypertensive patients aged at 65 years and over. HOWOLD-BP was a multi-center, parallel-design, single-blinding randomized controlled trial aimed at eleven national hospitals throughout Korea that will be recruited participants and will be enrolled 3,176 older adults with hypertension into the trial. Eligible patients will be evaluated at baseline for sociodemographic status, personal and family history, orthostatic blood pressure, frailty status, physical and cognitive function, and quality of life. The patients will be measured every 3 months for the first year and every 6 months till 36 months. The primary outcome is a composite of the new development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and heart failure; and the additional outcomes are death from CVD, hospitalization due to CVD, and quality of life. The HOWOLD-BP trial will provide evidence of the optimal target of blood pressure control for reducing cardiovascular disease among older Korean adults with hypertension. In addition, the trial’s results will be helpful in developing a customized management model considering the characteristics of elderly hypertensive patients in Korea and improving the treatment guidelines.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-05-20

  0 261 92

  Pilot projects for reducing the health disparity in local areas for Samho-dong: Results and support plan

  Kang Yanghwa, Kang Byeonghak, Lee Haneul, Ock Minsu

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(21): 1434-1448

  

  

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  The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the factors contributing to health disparities and to work to reduce these disparities and improve the overall health and well-being of Koreans. Samho-dong, a vulnerable area of Nam-gu, Ulsan was selected for the pilot project and Nowon-gu, Seoul, Namhae-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, and Siheung, Gyeonggi Province were designated as local areas that would benefit from the results of the project. The project was conducted for three years. In the first year (2020), a large-scale survey on the health of local residents and the local healthy environment was conducted in Samho-dong, Ulsan. To figure out the implications of health disparities, the results of the large-scale survey were compared to the results of 2014-2019 community health surveys. Based on the large-scale survey results, 1,518 Samho-dong residents, accounting for about 7.1% of the total population of Nam-gu, were selected to be involved with various community healthcare programs. When considering the importance of the project, designating smoking zones, strengthening mental health services, and operating management programs of chronic disease were considered priorities. The findings of this study support the need for large-scale surveys on the health status of local areas to reduce health disparities and to serve as a foundation to reduce them.