著者

戸田 雅裕 森本 兼曩

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.54, no.4, pp.592-596, 2000-01-15 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

14 20

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The fasting month of Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. It is the most important month for Muslims because in which the Qur'an was revealed, and they abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset to express their gratitude to God. Eating and drinking is permitted only at night, and Muslims typically eat two meals each day, after sunset and just before dawn. People tend to stay up late watching TV with the family, praying or reading the Qur'an.Ramadan teaches Muslims self-restraint and reminds them of the feelings of the impoverished. On the other hand, the biological effects of changes in lifestyle during Ramadan may also be expected.Some studies have reported substantial weight loss, signs of dehydration, raised serum concentrations of uric acid and cholesterol, etc. during Ramadan. However, these changes are unlikely to have much effect on healthy individuals, because generations of Muslims have undertaken fasting year after year. In conclusion, the observance of the Ramadan fast may produce some ill-effects in patients with some disease, e. g. hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperglycaemia, and heart, liver and kidney disease.

著者

菊池 有利子 武林 亨 佐々木 敏

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.63, no.4, pp.724-734, 2008 (Released:2008-09-30)

参考文献数

37

被引用文献数

5 5

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Objective: In the present study, we determined iodine concentration in commonly consumed foods in Japan. Methods: One hundred thirty-nine foods and beverages were purchased from local markets and convenience stores. These samples were examined for iodine concentration by using gas chromatography after ashing or extraction. Results: The iodine concentrations in various food groups were as follows, The concentrations in cereals, sugar, sweeteners, vegetables, fruit, milk, and meat were too low to be detected (<0.05 mg/100 g). The iodine concentrations of algae and dashi (Japanese broth or stock) from algae were <0.05–225 mg/100 g; Japanese seasoning, <0.05–10.5 mg/100 g; and iodine-rich eggs, 1.09–2.00 mg/100 g. Conclusions: Food and beverages with high iodine concentrations need to be taken into account in the nutritional survey for health hazards and benefits in the evaluation of daily nutritional intake.

著者

橋爪 真弘 上田 佳代 西脇 祐司 道川 武紘 小野塚 大介

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衞生學雜誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.3, pp.413-421, 2010-05-15

被引用文献数

66

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Asian dust, called 'kosa' in Japan, is the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants originating from the desert areas of China and Mongolia. Although Asian dust has a long history of appearing in Japan, it is only quite recently that there is increasing concern for its possible adverse health effects. We reviewed the epidemiologic evidence of potential health effects of Asian dust events. PubMed was used to search for the following keywords: Asian dust, yellow sand, desert dust, dust storm, sandstorm, mortality, death, morbidity, hospitalization, hospital admission, health, pulmonary and respiratory. The search was limited to the epidemiologic studies published between January 1980 and May 2009. JMEDPlus was used to search for Japanese literature. Seventeen studies were retrieved from PubMed and one study from JMEDPlus. In addition, one study was identified for reviewing from the references of another study. In total, we identified 19 epidemiologic studies (3 for mortality, 13 for hospital visits or admissions and 3 for respiratory functions or symptoms) mainly from Taiwan and Korea. There were many combinations of outcomes and lagged exposures examined, and some suggested possible associations of dust exposure with an increase in mortality and hospital visits and admissions due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, whereas the rest of the studies did not show statistically significant associations. The evidence from these studies was limited because exposure assessments were inadequately described and potential confounders were insufficiently controlled. Well-designed epidemiological studies are required to clarify any potential health effects of Asian dust events in Japan.<br>

著者

大林 賢史 佐伯 圭吾

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.2, pp.138-142, 2018 (Released:2018-05-31)

参考文献数

33

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The purpose of this short review is to describe the influence of housing environment temperature and lighting on circadian blood pressure (BP) variability using data from the HEIJO-KYO cohort, a community-based cohort study launched in 2010. Increased excess mortality from cardiovascular disease in winter is a worldwide problem. Previous studies showed higher conventional BP and higher daytime ambulatory BP in winter; however, the relationship between indoor cold exposure and circadian BP variability remained unknown. In our cohort, we found a significant inverse relationship between indoor temperature and morning BP surge, independent of potential confounding factors. In addition, we found the tertile group with the lowest daytime indoor temperatures showed significantly higher urinary sodium excretion than the tertile group with the highest daytime indoor temperatures. Higher sodium intake caused by indoor cold exposure may partly explain the higher BP in winter. Physiologically, light exposure is the most important environmental cue for the circadian timing system and melatonin secretion. In our cohort, we observed that an increase in nighttime short-wave length light exposure and a decrease in daytime light exposure were significantly associated with lower melatonin secretion. Furthermore, lower melatonin levels were significantly related to higher nighttime BPs and parameters of atherosclerosis, which are predictors of cardiovascular disease incidence. Further longitudinal studies of the influence of housing environment temperature and lighting on cardiovascular disease incidence are required.

著者

梅田 孝 高橋 一平 檀上 和真 松坂 方士 中路 重之

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.66, no.3, pp.533-542, 2011 (Released:2011-06-24)

参考文献数

66

被引用文献数

2 4

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The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the known effects of exercise on neutrophil immune functions of athletes. We measured three neutrophil immune functions (i.e., phagocytic activity (PA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and serum opsonic activity (SOA)) in various types of exercise. The following is our recent findings. (1) A regular exercise increases ROS production and decreases PA. We call this change a normal pattern, and an abnormal pattern except this change. (2) A prolonged, strenuous activity (e.g., rugby match and marathon) decreases both ROS production and PA. This is one of the abnormal pattern. (3) The exercise loading performed after a camp training decreases ROS production whereas PA does not change. This is another abnormal pattern. (4) When judoists who had stopped judo training for 6 months restarted their training, the exercise loading at the beginning of their training decreases PA whereas ROS production does not change. This is another abnormal pattern. (5) A regular exercise 2 months after the beginning of their training increases ROS production and decreases PA. This change is a normal pattern. SOA showed a similar pattern of changes to ROS under all conditions. The changes in neutrophil immune functions after performing various exercises might result from the balance between external factors (intensity and style of exercise) and internal factors (e.g., fatigue and physical pain). Therefore, the changes in three neutrophil immune functions after exercise might be an index of athletes’ condition.

著者

佐田 文宏 福岡 秀興 尾崎 貴視 伊藤 善也 吉池 信男 瀧本 秀美

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.72, no.1, pp.15-19, 2017 (Released:2017-02-02)

参考文献数

26

被引用文献数

2

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There are two major nationwide birth cohort studies in Japan, namely, the Longitudinal Survey of Newborns in the 21st Century conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) conducted by the Ministry of Environment. The former was a longitudinal questionnaire survey focusing on environmental and socioeconomic factors for descriptive epidemiology conducted every year since 2001 by mail. The latter was based on 15 unit centers nationwide with environmental measurements and collection of biological samples for environmental risk evaluation. Both are prospective birth cohort studies whose findings will be expected as the basis for establishing health policies. The data obtained in the former study can be used for research with permission from MHLW. To date, there have been more than ten published studies using those data. We have reviewed these studies and introduced our preliminary findings on factors affecting infant growth. Employment before delivery, educational background of parents, household income, and smoking habit of both parents have been suggested to affect infant growth. We will analyze the associations between socioeconomic factors and infant growth trajectory to elucidate the most adequate intervention for children.

著者

野村 恭子 苅田 香苗

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.1, pp.83-84, 2018 (Released:2018-01-31)

参考文献数

16

著者

福田 吉治

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.63, no.4, pp.735-738, 2008 (Released:2008-09-30)

参考文献数

19

被引用文献数

11 2

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The population approach is well recognized as an effective strategy to improve population health, as well as the population-at-risk approach. It aims to decrease risk exposure of the total population through a change of contextual conditions. However, the population approach has the possibility of increasing health inequality because of variation in the effectiveness of the strategy in accordance with the risk exposure. This paper proposes the “vulnerable population approach” as an alternative and supplemental strategy. It aims to decrease health inequalities between socially defined groups, by shifting the distribution of a lower level of risk exposure of the groups through changes in social and environmental conditions that make groups at higher risk. No interventional approach can be singly applied to all health problems. To improve population health, it is important to select the most effective strategy among the three approaches, considering their advantages and limitations, and to adopt a suitable combination of different approaches.

著者

荒木 敦子 伊藤 佐智子 宮下 ちひろ 湊屋 街子 岸 玲子

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.3, pp.313-321, 2018 (Released:2018-09-29)

参考文献数

60

被引用文献数

1

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In recent years, the birthrate has been continuously declining in Japan. The main causes of the decline are social factors. On the other hand, there is increasing evidence that many environmental chemicals show endocrine disrupting properties. Thus, we hypothesized that exposure to these chemicals would also be a causal for the fertility crisis. In this review, we examined current evidence that focused on environmental chemical exposure in utero and its association with reproductive hormones in children. We have included the findings from a prospective birth cohorts, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health Sapporo cohort. According to the literature, environmental chemical levels in utero, such as polychlorinated biphenyl, dioxins, perfluorinated chemical substances, phthalates, and bisphenol A were somewhat associated with the levels of reproductive hormones, such as testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, inhibin B, and insulin-like factor-3 in cord blood, in early childhood and adolescence. The literature also suggests the association between exposure to these chemicals and brain-sexual differentiation or the anogenital distance, which suggests the disruption of androgen shower during the developmental stage in the fetal period. There are still knowledge gaps on whether these hormones at an early stage affect the pubertal development and reproductive functions in later life. In addition, alternative chemicals are produced after banning one type. The health effects of alternative chemicals should be evaluated. Effects of exposure to a mixture of the chemicals should also be examined in future studies. In conclusion, the prevention of environmental chemical hazards in relation to human reproductive function is important. It would be one of the countermeasures to the falling birthrate caused by fertility issues.

著者

青山 英康

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.50, no.6, pp.1026-1035, 1996-02-15 (Released:2009-04-21)

参考文献数

14

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Japan was defeated in World War II and almost all of the nation was demoralized by the destruction and damage to much of the nation. The medical and health care system during and before World War II needed to be reformed radically and fundamentally since almost all medical and health institutes were destroyed. On the other hand, many health personnel came back from overseas after the war. Japanese modern medicine had developed on the basis of German medicine; however, many aspects of American medicine, including public health and democracy, were rapidly introduced following the end of World War II. The American type of health center was established and many laws concerning medical and health care were enacted in 1947-1948. One of them was "The Health Center Law."The National Health Insurance Act was enacted in 1958 and the total population has been covered by health insurance plans since 1961. Many physicians quit the health centers and they have worked as clinicians under the National Health Insurance scheme, because health centers were introduced before adequate education and research existed in the field of public health. On the other hand, the health insurance scheme was in its golden age during the high economic growth period of the 1960s. Japan has succeeded in all forms of modern technology and economy for the past 30 years and is now one of the top nations in the field of medical and health care, such as the numbers of clinics and hospitals and beds, the frequency of consulting with a doctor, length of hospital stay, examinee rates in mass health examinations in the community and workplace and so on.Health conditions have changed drastically from the 1950s to the present. Therefore, health centers do not fit current health needs. For example, mortality from tuberculosis, acute infections diseases and also stomach and uterus cancers and apoplexy have decreased rapidly while mortality from chronic diseases, especially lung, breast and rectal cancers, and myocardial infarction have increased gradually. Changes of life style resulting from rapid economic growth are suspected to be important causes of the change in the prevalence of these diseases.Mass health examination was important and effective as a preventive measure against tuberculosis, especially as a means of early detection and early treatment. However, it is not now effective against chronic diseases. The screening examination has resulted in identifying many patients suspected of being ill. Every examiner must be able to distinguish pathologic findings from physiologic changes of aging. Every patient must, therefore, understand his/her individuality and evaluate the result of his/her efforts to improve life style by receiving a health examination. Accordingly, the aim of health examination has changed from early detection to health support for the examinee.During the decades when life expectancy was less than 50 years of age, it was not necessary for people to plan for retirement. Moreover, there was little burden on younger genarations to provide care for the aged people because there were few old people more than 70 years of age and the birth rate was high. Nowadays, elderly people face many years of life after retirement and there are too many aged people in relation to the number of younger persons.As for medical care services, many new medical needs have emerged in resent years, including "quality of life, " "palliative medicine in terminal care, " "establishment of a primary care system" and "comprehensive care connecting health and medical care with welfare" etc.Improved living standards resulting from economic growth, called the "economic miracle" internationally, have helped to bring about a rapid and wide range of change in daily lifestyle, such as eating habits, working conditions and environment.

著者

原 めぐみ 大藤 さとこ 福島 若葉 廣田 良夫

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.68, no.3, pp.153-160, 2013 (Released:2013-09-28)

参考文献数

21

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Influenza vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza and its complications. In the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, monovalent strain-specific pandemic vaccines were developed rapidly. However, they were only available in limited supply at the initial stage of the vaccination campaign. Thus, tiered use of vaccines, after careful prioritization and determination of dose per individual, was important to maximize the benefit of the available doses. In this study, the principles and methods of epidemiological evaluation of influenza vaccines were investigated, focusing on the immunogenicity and effectiveness. The results of the study of the 2009/H1N1 pandemic will then be detailed.

著者

松浦 康之 高田 宗樹

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.71, no.1, pp.2-11, 2016 (Released:2016-01-30)

参考文献数

84

被引用文献数

1

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The use of stereoscopic images has been spreading rapidly. Nowadays, stereoscopic movies are nothing new to people. Stereoscopic systems date back to 280 A.D. when Euclid first recognized the concept of depth perception by humans. Despite the increase in the production of three-dimensional (3D) display products and many studies on stereoscopic vision, the effect of stereoscopic vision on the human body has been insufficiently understood. However, symptoms such as eye fatigue and 3D sickness have been the concerns when viewing 3D films for a prolonged period of time; therefore, it is important to consider the safety of viewing virtual 3D contents as a contribution to society. It is generally explained to the public that accommodation and convergence are mismatched during stereoscopic vision and that this is the main reason for the visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) during 3D viewing. We have devised a method to simultaneously measure lens accommodation and convergence. We used this simultaneous measurement device to characterize 3D vision. Fixation distance was compared between accommodation and convergence during the viewing of 3D films with repeated measurements. Time courses of these fixation distances and their distributions were compared in subjects who viewed 2D and 3D video clips. The results indicated that after 90 s of continuously viewing 3D images, the accommodative power does not correspond to the distance of convergence. In this paper, remarks on methods to measure the severity of motion sickness induced by viewing 3D films are also given. From the epidemiological viewpoint, it is useful to obtain novel knowledge for reduction and/or prevention of VIMS. We should accumulate empirical data on motion sickness, which may contribute to the development of relevant fields in science and technology.

著者

飯田 宏美

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.15, no.2, pp.103-113, 1960-06-01 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

43

被引用文献数

1 1

著者

蓑原 美奈恵 伊藤 宜則 大谷 元彦 佐々木 隆一郎 青木 國雄

出版者

The Japanese Society for Hygiene

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.43, no.2, pp.607-615, 1988-06-05 (Released:2009-02-17)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

7 2

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一地域住民38歳∼84歳の924名のうち,味質脱失者19名を除いた905名を対象とし,滴下法を用いて味覚検査を行った。味質は甘味:精製白糖,塩味:塩化ナトリウム,酸味:酒石酸,苦味:塩酸キニーネの4種に限定し,以下の結果をえた。味覚識別能は4基本味質のいずれも,女性が男性より敏感に識別していた。また,男女とも味覚識別能検査値は,70歳代で最も鈍化し,80歳代ではやや敏感になる傾向など,加齢による変化を認めた。また,総入歯群と義歯なし群や部分入歯群とを比較したが,義歯の状態による味覚識別能に対する影響は認めなかった。喫煙による味覚識別能の影響は,喫煙量(本/日)の増加にともない,男女とも味覚識別能が鈍くなる傾向にあり,味覚識別能における性差は無くなった。塩味,酸味の識別能は喫煙量の増加にともない,男性が女性より敏感に識別し,性差が逆転したが,喫煙量の増加に従い鈍化する傾向は一致した。さらに,味覚識別能に影響を認めた性,年齢を考慮した多変量解析を行った結果,喫煙量の増加にともない味覚識別能は鈍くなる量-反応関係が明らかとなった。その影響の強さは,苦味,酸味,塩味,甘味の順であった。

著者

西岡 笑子

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.2, pp.185-199, 2018 (Released:2018-05-31)

参考文献数

64

被引用文献数

7

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In this paper, we describe the trends in research on adolescent sexuality education in Japan and other countries and on fertility awareness, as well as the possibility of life planning based on sex and reproductive health education. Mason-Jones AJ et al. reviewed the results of school-based intervention studies on the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. There is little evidence supporting the idea that educational curriculum-based programs alone are effective in improving sex and reproductive health outcomes in adolescents. In another study, the effectiveness of school-based sexuality education for adolescents in Japan was evaluated. The Japan Medical Abstract Society was searched for articles published in the last 10 years. In many studies, the effects were compared before and after a single sexuality education lecture by professionals, such as doctors, midwives, and public health nurses. In Japan, effort has been directed toward sexuality education, but no systematic program based on behavior theory has been adopted. Therefore, sex education is insufficient. A third study clarified research on fertility awareness in adults and issues regarding improvements in related education and research. The Japan Medical Abstract Society and PubMed were searched for articles published in the last 10 years. The review suggested that awareness of female fertility is insufficient. Delaying childbearing based on inaccurate knowledge of the decline in female fertility could lead to unintended infertility. For males and females, sexual health education in schools and communities should include information on the age-related decline in female fertility. Although the determinants of the timing of childbearing are multifactorial, education on fertility issues is necessary to help adults make informed reproductive decisions based on accurate information. Finally, in this paper, we introduce examples of the pioneering efforts in sexual health education through collaboration between the governments of Oita and Okayama Prefectures and Oita and Okayama Universities.

著者

石原 信夫

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.1, pp.75-79, 2014 (Released:2014-01-29)

参考文献数

28

被引用文献数

5

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The first reports of methylmercury intoxication appeared in 1865 and 1866. These reports had sensational effects in European countries, and were introduced not only in journals but also in newspapers. These two reports were referable in Japan at the latest in 1927. The formation of organic mercury in the production of acetoaldehyde was also referable in 1906 in Japan. In 1931 (one year before the start of acetoaldehyde production in Minamata) these important reports cited above were referable in Kumamoto University, and there were warnings about the toxicity of organic mercury and environmental pollution prior to the start of acetoaldehyde production. However, not only the plant, authorities (Ministry of Welfare), and Kumamoto Prefectural Office, but also the scientists completely ignored these reports. Waste was dumped into the environment without any treatment. Serious pollution of the environment by organic mercury started, which resulted in the outbreak of Minamata disease (=methylmercury intoxication).

著者

大久保 忠利 稲葉 洋平 原 泰子 内山 茂久 欅田 尚樹

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.71, no.1, pp.84-90, 2016 (Released:2016-01-30)

参考文献数

17

被引用文献数

2

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Objective: Some Japanese smokers imported Japanese cigarette brands from other Asian countries for personal use because of the increase in tobacco tax in 2010, which meant that privately importing the cigarettes was cheaper than purchasing them in Japan. We assumed that the health hazards of locally made cigarettes were different from those of privately imported cigarettes, despite the brands being the same. In this study, we carried out a comparative toxicological analysis of domestic and privately imported cigarettes. Methods: Privately imported cigarettes of five brands and domestic cigarettes of the brand named “MILD SEVEN ORIGINAL” were selected for the study. The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mainstream smoke was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection. The mutagenicity of mainstream smoke was assessed using the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA98, and YG1024 with the metabolic activation system (S9mix) by preincubation assay. The levels of heavy metals in cigarette fillers were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: The level of PAH in the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was higher than that in the smoke from the domestic cigarettes. However, the mutagenic activity of the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was equivalent to that from the domestic cigarettes. The levels of nickel and cadmium in the fillers of the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the domestic cigarettes. Conclusion: The levels of constituents in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the domestic cigarettes. The majority of Japanese smokers are unaware of these findings. The guidelines regulating tobacco products recommend that articles 9 and 10 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control should be fully implemented in Japan.

著者

杉田 稔 宮川 路子

出版者

日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.67, no.4, pp.514-523, 2012 (Released:2012-10-25)

参考文献数

49

被引用文献数

2 1

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Introduction: Large amounts of radioactive materials were leaked into the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) of the Tokyo Electric Power Company damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and accompanying tsunami. Increased health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials are of concern over a long period of time and over a wide geographical area. From the results of epidemiologic studies conducted after the Chernobyl accident, the health risks are not anticipated to be very marked. The purpose of the present study is to examine (i) the elevated health risks as viewed by the general population, (ii) tolerance to the risks that the general population suffer from their viewpoint, and (iii) the overall picture as seen by researchers and experts in specialized areas of study after the accident. Method: Information was obtained from articles in print and on the Internet and by interviewing a psychologist and tens of employees of several corporations. Results and Discussion: Epidemiologic studies conducted after the severe accident of the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl revealed an elevated risk of thyroid cancer in children due to 131I while elevated risks due to radioactive materials other than 131I were not detected. The amount of radioactive materials leaked into the environment from the FDNPP was less than that in Chernobyl. Therefore, it is possible to estimate that health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials from the FDNPP are low. However, it is impossible to conclude a zero risk. It is likely that the general population does not fully understand the health impairment risks due to the leaked radioactive materials from the FDNPP. Although no increased incidences of diseases other than thyroid cancer of children were scientifically shown en masse from studies in Chernobyl, individual risks and results in the future caused by the severe accident of FDNPP cannot be denied. Much of the general population is apt to demand the security of a zero risk from human-generated disasters such as the severe accident of FDNPP. Many are very intolerant of the health impairment risks factors and wish to avoid any risk altogether. The viewpoint of the general population differs considerably from that of epidemiologists and other research experts. Researchers and experts are often well versed in their own specialized areas but ignorant of other areas. Thus, it is difficult to grasp the complete view of an event under consideration. This so-called ‘takotsubo’ situation is dangerous in human society. Researchers and experts must make effort to understand areas other than their own specialized areas. Scientific researchers usually possess a great deal of conviction from the results of their own studies. They are apt to ignore criticism of their study results from individuals working in other research areas even when the results of their studies are inadequate. When the conditions of their studies are changed somewhat and insufficient information is obtained, the results may not be accurate. Researchers and experts should take full cognizance of this possibility, view with strong skepticism about the results of studies even in their own areas, and listen with humility to criticisms from those working in fields of discipline other than their own. Conclusions: It should be fully recognized that the viewpoint of the general population is considerably different from that of researchers and experts regarding health risks due to the severe accident of FDNPP. Researchers and experts must make effort to understand the opinions of those working in areas other than their own in order to grasp a true and complete view of an event under consideration.

著者

橋爪 真弘 上田 佳代 西脇 祐司 道川 武紘 小野塚 大介

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.65, no.3, pp.413-421, 2010 (Released:2010-05-27)

参考文献数

31

被引用文献数

64 66

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Asian dust, called ‘kosa’ in Japan, is the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants originating from the desert areas of China and Mongolia. Although Asian dust has a long history of appearing in Japan, it is only quite recently that there is increasing concern for its possible adverse health effects. We reviewed the epidemiologic evidence of potential health effects of Asian dust events. PubMed was used to search for the following keywords: Asian dust, yellow sand, desert dust, dust storm, sandstorm, mortality, death, morbidity, hospitalization, hospital admission, health, pulmonary and respiratory. The search was limited to the epidemiologic studies published between January 1980 and May 2009. JMEDPlus was used to search for Japanese literature. Seventeen studies were retrieved from PubMed and one study from JMEDPlus. In addition, one study was identified for reviewing from the references of another study. In total, we identified 19 epidemiologic studies (3 for mortality, 13 for hospital visits or admissions and 3 for respiratory functions or symptoms) mainly from Taiwan and Korea. There were many combinations of outcomes and lagged exposures examined, and some suggested possible associations of dust exposure with an increase in mortality and hospital visits and admissions due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, whereas the rest of the studies did not show statistically significant associations. The evidence from these studies was limited because exposure assessments were inadequately described and potential confounders were insufficiently controlled. Well-designed epidemiological studies are required to clarify any potential health effects of Asian dust events in Japan.

著者

高橋 美保子 永井 正規

出版者

一般社団法人日本衛生学会

雑誌

日本衛生学雑誌 (ISSN:00215082)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.63, no.1, pp.5-19, 2008-01-15 (Released:2008-05-16)

参考文献数

38

被引用文献数

14 14

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Objectives: The aim of this study is to clarify the excess mortality associated with influenza epidemics in Japan during the period from 1987 to 2005.Methods: Monthly data on the total number of deaths (excluding accidental deaths) and the numbers of deaths due to malignant neoplasms, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and renal failure were obtained from vital statistics from 1987-2005. The point estimates and range of excess mortality were evaluated using a model based on annual mortality and seasonal indices. Total mortality was analyzed for all ages, sex and for the following five age groups: 0-4, 5-24, 25-44, 45-64, and ≥65 yrs.Results: The excess number of deaths showed almost no difference in each influenza season between men and women. During each influenza season, approximately 85-90% of the excess mortality was attributed to the ≥65 yrs age group. During the 1995 and 1999 seasons, mortality increased significantly across all age groups. The highest point estimate of excess mortality in the ≥65 yrs age group was observed in 1999. From a comparison of the range of excess mortality in the ≥65 yrs age group by year, the excess mortality in 1995 appeared to be the highest of the examined years. The highest point estimate of excess mortality in the 0-4 yrs age group was observed in 1995. From a comparison of the range of excess mortality in the 0-4 yrs age group by year, the excess mortality in 1998 or 1999 appeared to be the highest of the examined years. Excess mortality in the 45-64 yrs and ≥65 yrs age groups showed an increasing tendency in the 1990s and a stabilizing tendency beginning in 2000. In addition, excess mortality during each epidemic was occurred in persons with pneumonia, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, malignant neoplasms, and renal failure, accounting for approximately 20-50%, 20-40%, 20%, 5%, and 2% of all the excess mortality, respectively.Conclusions: These results indicate that the majority of excess mortality occurred among the elderly and persons with pneumonia, heart disease, or cerebrovascular disease. Although it is unclear whether the increasing trend in the 1990s and the stabilizing trend beginning in 2000 were the result of vaccination measures, health measures for groups such as the elderly and heart disease patients are considered to be important for the future.