[2020 National Audit] "Diabetes Patients in Their 20s Increased by 51.4% Over 5 Years"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of diabetes patients in their 20s has surged by 51.4% over the past five years. Diabetes patients in their 20s increased by about 11% annually, recording the highest growth rate among all age groups.

According to data submitted by the National Health Insurance Service to Kim Won-i, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of patients treated for diabetes from 2015 to June of this year reached 17.23 million. The number increased annually from 2.53 million in 2015 to 2.87 million in 2017, and 3.22 million last year, marking a 27.7% surge over five years.

As the number of patients increased, medical expenses also rose. Last year, total medical expenses amounted to 2.7396 trillion KRW, about 1.5 times that of 1.8186 trillion KRW in 2015. The cumulative medical expenses over the past five years exceeded 12.7 trillion KRW.

Notably, the increase rate of patients in their 20s (51.4%) was the highest among all age groups. This was followed by those in their 60s (34.1%), 70 and older (32.7%), 30s (30.8%), teens (23.2%), 50s (18.8%), and 40s (16.5%).

However, the health screening rate for early detection and prevention of diabetes was only 74.5% last year.

In particular, the screening rate among medical aid beneficiaries with limited daily living capabilities was 38.2%, about half of the overall rate. Since diabetes complication tests are not currently included in the national health screening items, it is analyzed that the health screening rate among diabetes patients is low due to economic burdens and other factors.

Kim Won-i, member of the Democratic Party of Korea

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "Although diabetes is a disease that takes a long time to cure and has a high possibility of causing complications, the health screening rate remains low," adding, "Support measures such as including selective screening items for diabetes patients in the national health screening system at the national level are necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.