Korean Job Discussion Forums

[butlerian]

I have a friend who has diabetes and is interested in working in Korea or, at least, Asia. Does anyone know if this could be a problem in terms of getting medication?

[jdog2050]

[jajdude]

Low?

Check out this link:

http://www.emaxhealth.com/23/8232.html

Diabetes Rates in Asia Soar

Asian diabetes rates are soaring, according to a South Korean study. It says the health consequences of the disease are worse in that region than in more prosperous areas. Another new study points out that people do not need to reach a diabetic state for elevated blood sugar levels to be deadly.

And this one:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/11/health/main666227.shtml

Researchers analyzed data on 1.29 million South Korean men and women ages 30 to 95 who received health insurance from a group that covers government employees, teachers and their families. Participants were followed for up to 10 years starting in 1992.

About 5 percent of the participants had diabetes. A total of 26,473 participants died of cancer during the follow-up.

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The cbsnews link later does mention a "low prevalence of diabetes in South Korea"--- though that 5% sounds high.
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One more:

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/29/2/226

According to the Korea National Statistical Office, the mortality rate due to diabetes was 25.0 per 100,000 persons in 2003, and thus it is currently rated as Korea�s fourth leading cause of death

[Novernae]

Of course type 2 diabetes will soar (is soaring) here as people abandon all intelligence to their food choices just like at home.

I have a coworker who is diabetic (type 2) and gets her pills sent over from home. There have been some posts on here about people having trouble finding pharmacies that carry insulin when they need it, but I have no first hand knowledge there. It will only have to get easier as people get richer and stuff their kids with junk food.

Also, diabetes (according to my gyopo diabetic coworker) is quite stigmatized here. Her mother keeps urging her to find someone and marry him quick before he learns she has diabetes.

[ursus_rex]

I have type 2 diabetes. Just use pills, though, and not been a problem. Also, relatively cheap... spending about 20,000 w for 1 1/2 month supply. I've seen a couple of doctors here, and they seem to know what to do.

A friend of mine discovered he was diabetic while here (type 1). Went on insulin right away... never seemed a problem getting it, and was considerabley cheaper than his home (USA).