Gangbuk-gu Expands Metabolic Syndrome Screening to All Ages Over 20

Gangbuk-gu Metabolic Syndrome Screening Centers Total 7 Locations... Screening Available for All Ages 20 and Above
Approximately 75,000 Registered for Metabolic Syndrome Management in Gangbuk-gu... Steadily Increasing

Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) has expanded the age range for metabolic syndrome screening, which was previously limited to ages 20 to 64, to all ages 20 and above for the early detection and management of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a condition where an individual has three or more risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is continuously increasing, making management crucial. Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events by more than three times and the risk of diabetes by more than five times, thereby raising the risk of various acute and chronic diseases.

Gangbuk-gu started the metabolic syndrome management project in June 2009 and operated it year-round until 2021, but it was suspended for about a year due to COVID-19. The program resumed operation in June 2022.

To fill the gap during the one-year suspension, the district established and operated centers where metabolic syndrome screening can be conducted at regional hubs until 2023 to improve local accessibility. Currently, there are seven centers in Gangbuk-gu where metabolic syndrome screening is available: Gangbuk-gu Public Health Center, Suyu Health Branch, Samgaksan Health Branch, Suyu Health Center, Mia Health Center, Ui Health Center, and Samyang Health Center. Thanks to these efforts, the cumulative number of registrants in Gangbuk-gu’s metabolic syndrome management project has reached approximately 75,000 people.

Additionally, starting from March this year, the eligible age for metabolic syndrome screening was changed to 20 years and older, and screenings have been expanded to be available on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month at the Health Management Center on the first floor of the Public Health Center, allowing more residents to receive health management services.

At the Gangbuk-gu Health Management Center, metabolic syndrome screening includes five types of blood tests (fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL) and blood pressure measurement, as well as body composition analysis. Systematic management and consultations are provided free of charge by experts including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and exercise specialists.

If visitors bring results from the national health screening, they can receive health consultations without additional tests. To encourage more residents to use this service, an event linking national health screenings with metabolic syndrome registration will be held.

Each center also operates various specialized programs, and participants in the metabolic syndrome management project can join various exercise and nutrition programs held annually on engaging themes.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “Modern life is busy, leaving little time to take care of health, and the number of patients with metabolic syndrome such as diabetes and hypertension is increasing every year.” She added, “The district will strive to increase screening rates and provide specialized programs so that residents can lead healthy lives.”

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