Underestimated Burden: Non-Communicable Diseases in North Korea
10.3349/ymj.2019.60.5.481
- Author:
Shin HA
1
;
Yo Han LEE
Author Information
1. The Office of Medical Research and Academic Affairs, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
North Korea;
non-communicable diseases;
epidemiologic transition;
demographic transition
- MeSH:
Communicable Diseases;
Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
Developed Countries;
Korea;
Pneumonia;
Population Dynamics;
Public Health;
Tuberculosis
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2019;60(5):481-483
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
There remains a misperception that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are predominantly an issue for developed countries and are not major public health problems in low-income countries. North Korea is also often considered as a country with a disease structure that is typical of a low-income country. Infectious diseases and nutritional problems, including tuberculosis and pneumonia, are still major sources of medical discussion. The authors challenge this misperception by reviewing empirical data on epidemiologic and demographic transitions of North Korea and show that the current NCD burden is the main public health issue in North Korea. In result, it can be said that epidemiologic transition and demographic transition of North Korea preceded prior to economic hardship. It is necessary for the international community, including South Korea, to advance in a new direction of medical support for North Korea.
