Ihave been elected as the 17th chairman of the Japanese Society of Public Health, following on from the previous term.
The previous term, from November 2019 to November 2021, was a time when the global public health situation changed completely due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Japan is no exception, and I know that many people in the fields of health, medical care, and welfare, including members, have been forced to respond in their own positions and have been active, and I would like to once again express my respect for their efforts.
I would like to In this era of turmoil in public health, the activities of this association will continue to attract attention, and I would like to contribute to the enhancement and development of the activities of this association together with all members.
This society has reached a milestone of 70 years since its establishment in 1951, and now has more than 9,000 members, making it the largest academic society in the field of social medicine.
The mission of this society is to create scientific evidence that contributes to the improvement and promotion of public health in Japan, implement and evaluate public health activities, make recommendations for policy, and develop human resources.
Reflecting the world's fastest aging population with a declining birthrate, Japan is facing various health problems that other countries have not experienced, as well as various challenges in the health, medical care, nursing care, and welfare systems to deal with them.
Therefore, we are anticipating problems in Asian and African countries, where aging will progress rapidly in the future, and our response to these problems is attracting a great deal of attention from other countries.
Lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, geriatric diseases, epidemics of infectious diseases, short-term, medium- to long-term health problems due to large-scale disasters, etc., health problems caused by tobacco, alcohol, drugs, abuse problems of the elderly and children, mental illness such as suicide There are a wide range of health issues that need to be resolved, including health issues and a decline in social support functions.
Under these circumstances, the Society is expected to play an even more important role academically, socially, and internationally.
The pillars of the society's activities for this term are shown below.
Based on the establishment of the 2017 incorporation, we will further enhance the public health expert system, other training and certification systems, internationalization, and promotion of public health research.
1) Strengthening public health human resource development and expanding membership
Strengthening public health human resource development and expanding membership In Japan, where the birth rate is declining and the population is aging, there is a need to improve health, prevent diseases and health disorders, and reform and enhance medical care and welfare for all generations, from children to the elderly. is the most important issue.
With the pandemic of the new coronavirus infectious disease as an opportunity, the issue was widely expressed.
Enhancement of the public health specialist system started by the Society in 2009; We will continue to enhance the activities of the association, e-mail magazines, and e-learning. Through these activities, we aim to further increase the number of members.
2) Strengthening cooperation and collaboration with related academic societies
Strengthening cooperation and collaboration with related academic societies A major feature of this society is that it is a multidisciplinary group related to public health.
Members include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, public health nurses, midwives, nurses, clinical technologists, radiological technologists, registered dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and nurses.
Teachers, educators/researchers in epidemiology, health statistics, health education, humanities and social sciences, administrative practitioners, etc.
Since many of our members belong to related academic societies and organizations, we have been able to communicate with related academic societies and organizations (Science Council, Japan Japan Federation of Medical Societies, National Hygiene and Public Health Education Council, etc.).
3) Policy proposals and requests
Suggestions and requests for policies
It is an important mission of the Society to make timely recommendations based on scientific evidence regarding policies in the field of public health. In the previous term, we quickly set up a special site for information related to the new coronavirus on our website, and have provided various reports and information, including statements on infectious disease countermeasures and discussions on the revision of the Infectious Diseases Act.
In addition, in order to utilize big data related to the life course, we submitted a request to the government regarding the linking of the NDB/Nursing Care DB and vital statistics.
We will continue to cooperate with the public health monitoring committee, public health experts, and other members to deal with long-term health problems and various health problems related to the declining birthrate and super-aging population. We will make proposals and requests in cooperation with related academic societies and organizations (Science Council, Federation of Japanese Medical Associations, etc.).
4) Internationalization
Internationalization support In Japan, the world's longest-lived country, the medical insurance system, public health center/regional health system, medical checkup (examination) system, and various health care and nursing care welfare policies that have supported it will be affected by the rapidly declining birthrate and aging population.
It is attracting attention in East Asian and African countries, which are advancing to This society is strongly required to actively provide information on scientific evidence and practical activities related to public health.
Regarding the acceptance of inspections and training from overseas, the competent departments of the country, the Institute of Public Health, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, the National Institute of Health Sciences, the competent departments of prefectures, public health centers, and local health research. However, as an academic society, it is also required to communicate to the world through cooperation with related organizations or through academic activities.
Bilingualization of the website and e-mail magazines (Japanese and English), English translation of important proposals in English articles in Japanese public health journals, travel grants (international participation awards) for overseas participants at the general meeting, English presentation sessions and young members We will continue to support the participation and activities of undergraduate students and young members.
5) Promotion of public health research
Promotion of public health research Public health research encompasses various fields related to the improvement and promotion of public health.
It covers a wide range of fields, including health service research covering nursing care welfare, economic evaluation research, and policy research.
The development of public health research depends on the progress in each field, but improving the level of knowledge and technology in epidemiology and medical statistics, which are the foundations of that research, and providing information on research topics in each field are essential for the development of public health as a whole.
Therefore, in cooperation with other related academic societies, academic conferences, the National Hygiene and Public Health Education Council, the National Public Health Association Liaison Council, social medicine specialist associations, prefectural health authorities, etc.
We will promote training, e-learning, and e-mail newsletters for hygiene specialists and social medicine specialists. In addition, to enhance the incentives of young and mid-career researchers and practitioners, we will further improve the award system, such as excellent presentation awards at academic conferences, excellent paper awards in academic journals, academic encouragement awards, and peer review awards for academic journal papers.
I would like to ask all of our members for your participation, support, and advice in society activities.
November 2021
Professor and Dr Hiroyasu Iso
President of Japan Public Health Association