초록 열기/닫기 버튼
There remains a misperception that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are predominantly an issue for developed countries andare not major public health problems in low-income countries. North Korea is also often considered as a country with a diseasestructure 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 epidemiologicand demographic transitions of North Korea and show that the current NCD burden is the main public health issue inNorth Korea. In result, it can be said that epidemiologic transition and demographic transition of North Korea preceded prior toeconomic hardship. It is necessary for the international community, including South Korea, to advance in a new direction of medicalsupport for North Korea.
