The advent of big data has transformed healthcare research, particularly in chronic disease epidemiology. In Korea, the National Health Information Database (NHID) provides an extensive, population-wide dataset covering health screenings, claims, and mortality data. This database has become a vital tool for investigating diabetes and its related complications, including cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction, and cancer. This article explores the structure and capabilities of the NHID, reviews key findings from recent diabetes-related studies, and discusses the strengths, limitations, and future directions of using big data analytics in Korean diabetes research. With proper methodological rigor, NHID-based studies can yield valuable insights for public health interventions and policy development.
