Korea's antibiotic crisis: Why it's a problem and how we can prevent it

South Korea’s health care system is praised for its speed and accessibility, but the resulting ease at which patients receive antibiotics is leading to a rise in antibiotic-resistant “superbugs." According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, South Korea recorded 31.8 defined daily doses, or DID, of antibiotics per 1,000 people in 2023, placing it second among the 34 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, behind Turkey. This is its highest r

Deadly Nipah virus classified as first-tier infectious disease in South Korea

South Korea has officially designated Nipah virus infection as a first-tier infectious disease, a classification for the most dangerous outbreaks with a high fatality rate that require immediate reporting and isolation. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that the revision to the infectious disease classification guidelines will take effect Monday, marking the first time a new disease has been added to the top-tier category since the country introduced the four-tier system

Diabetes on rise in young Koreans, low-income youth hit hardest

Diabetes, long considered more prevalent in older adults, is increasingly affecting South Korea’s younger population. A new study by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday shows a dramatic rise in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes among people under 30 over the past 13 years, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. According to the findings, based on a 13-year nationwide study involving 130,000 people under 30, the number of new Type 2 diabetes cases more than

Eradicating common stomach bacterium could protect bone health, study suggests

New research suggests that eradicating Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium best known for causing gastric ulcers and stomach cancer, may also help prevent osteoporosis, especially among older females. According to a research team at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, supported by the KDCA’s National Institute of Health, individuals who underwent H. pylori eradication therapy were found to have a substantially lower risk of developing osteoporosis over time compared to those who did not r

Summer travel alert: How to stay safe from measles while abroad

As international travel surges this summer, so does the risk of measles infection. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 65 measles cases have been reported domestically as of July 5, a 40 percent increase from last year. A striking 70.8 percent of these cases were imported, most commonly from Vietnam, followed by Thailand, Italy, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Another 19 cases were linked to domestic transmission from imported infections. Measles, an extremely contagious virus

Is your summer safe? Cases of foodborne illness double in June

With South Korea entering the peak season for gastrointestinal illnesses, public health officials are urging heightened vigilance as cases linked to contaminated food and water nearly doubled in the past month. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday, sentinel surveillance at 210 hospitals with 200 or more beds showed a sharp rise in two of the most common bacterial culprits. Salmonella infections rose from 66 patients in the first week of June to 127 by the fou

Late-night snack attacks? Your brain might be the culprit

Summer has arrived. Yet, despite resolutions to stay fit, there's one habit that seems nearly impossible to shake off: late-night snacking. If your evenings inevitably end with a visit to the refrigerator or a delivery app opened around midnight, you might be experiencing what’s known as "night-eating syndrome." Night-eating syndrome, a relatively common but often overlooked condition, involves frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food during late-night hours. Individuals with this syndr

Do kids really gain more weight when moms work longer hours?

Children whose mothers work long hours are more than twice as likely to develop abdominal obesity, according to a recent South Korean study examining the link between maternal working hours and metabolic health risks in adolescents. The study, conducted by Park Hoon-ki’s team from the department of family medicine at Hanyang University Hospital, analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2020, involving 2,598 children and adolescents aged 10 to 18.

How global warming makes spring allergies worse, and last longer

As spring brings sunlight and warmth to South Korea, more people can be spotted around the city, taking walks, going on runs or enjoying a picnic by the Han River. But for some, the season's arrival brings less joy than usual. Among them is 26-year-old Jeong Seo-yoon, who often struggles with spring allergies that trigger symptoms such as "constant sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and the occasional sore throat," she says. “For me, spring and allergies are like a package deal. You can’t have one

Is napping in your 40s beneficial?

While a full night’s rest remains essential for everyone, the amount of sleep needed varies significantly across age groups. What about naps? It is not unusual for some adults aged over 40 taking naps during the day, whether out of habit, fatigue or necessity. But is this midday rest for older adults a healthy habit, or something that signals underlying health issues? Experts say the answer lies in how long you take a nap and why you do it. Napping is a common practice across cultures and age gr

Are you really 'ugly' before your period?

Social media is flooded with wellness trends, and when it comes to content pushed on the feeds of women, menstruation is one of the largest topics. Lately, one idea has been gaining traction online, the notion that the luteal phase — the part of the menstrual cycle just before one's period — makes you look and feel "ugly." On TikTok and X, users describe this phase as turning them into "the ugliest person alive," pointing to bloating, breakouts, mood swings and cravings. While recognizing the pa

How much are our genes to blame for our allergies?

As spring arrives with blooming flowers and warmer weather, so too come the sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses that plague millions of people each year. Spring allergies, often triggered by pollen from trees, grasses and other plants, are one of the most common seasonal health concerns. But where do allergies come from, and why do some people suffer more than others? Allergies are hypersensitive immune responses to substances that are generally harmless to most people. These substances, known

Hoarding disorder may have bigger implications

A series of tragic fire incidents in South Korea have been linked to individuals with hoarding disorders, raising interest and awareness of the condition characterized by persistent difficulty in discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. The excessive accumulation of items creates hazardous living conditions, leading to increased fire risks. On Feb. 26, a fire broke out in a single-room apartment in Buk-gu, Busan. Noticing the smell of burning, the landlord entered the unit and f

Influenza and pneumonia, a dangerous combination

Vaccination, hygiene, early detection remain key to defense This winter has brought one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory, significantly increasing the risk of pneumonia as a secondary infection. Health experts warn that influenza weakens the immune system, making it easier for bacterial infections like pneumococcal pneumonia to take hold. Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, the wife of South Korean singer Koo Jun-yup, died from pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a vacation in Japa

Does thinking about sex make your hair grow faster?

In South Korea, it's a popular belief that one way to get one's hair and nails to grow faster is to think naughty thoughts. But is that really the case? Actually, the answer is no. There is no scientific evidence that having erotic thoughts directly makes hair grow faster. Hair growth is primarily regulated by genetics, hormones, blood circulation and overall health, not by thoughts or emotions alone. What exactly is critical for their growth? Since hair and nails constantly regenerate, they req