Recognizing that early prevention of allergic diseases is critical for lifelong health, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has directly embarked on educational programs targeting infants.
On April 10, the KDCA conducted an educational session on the prevention of atopic dermatitis and food allergies targeted at five-year-old children at Cheongju’s Osong Healthcare Administrative Town childcare center in Chungcheongbuk-do. The session was part of the first official event marking the ‘1st Disease Prevention and Control Week’.
Ji Young-mi, the KDCA Commissioner, visited the site to conduct the education in a manner suited to children’s level through OX quizzes and educational videos. Certificates were awarded to the children who completed the session, aiming not only to raise awareness about allergic diseases but also to encourage practical application in daily life.
Allergic diseases, if not properly treated in early childhood, tend to develop into asthma and allergic rhinitis. According to the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease, the progression from atopic dermatitis or food allergies in early childhood to asthma during preschool years and rhinitis during school years is defined as the ‘allergy march’.
To prevent the progression of such diseases, the KDCA is pushing for organized education and promotion through nationwide atopy and asthma education information centers. Starting in Seoul in 2008, these centers are now co-operated by the KDCA and local governments across 12 metropolitan areas.
Ji Young-mi declared, “We will continue to provide preventive education suitable for each age group, ensuring that children can grow up in healthy environments.”
