Temporal Trends in Acute Mental Health Problems during the Emergency Medical Team Response to Cyclone Idai 2019 in Mozambique: Findings from the WHO Emergency Medical Team Minimum Data Set.

Objective: In 2017, the World Health Organization introduced an international standardized medical data collection tool for disasters, known as the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Minimum Data Set (MDS). The EMT MDS was activated for the first time in 2019 in response to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. The present study aimed to examine the daily and phase trends in acute mental health problems identified by international EMTs during their response to Cyclone Idai and reported using the EMT MDS.

Characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and smell and/or taste disorders depending on different virus strains: a cross-sectional study in Hiroshima, Japan.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to compare the prevalence and associated risk factors of smell and/or taste disorders depending on different virus strains in Hiroshima, Japan.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used.

Setting And Participants: Data were collected for all COVID-19-confirmed inpatients admitted to 27 hospitals in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan, between 8 April 2020 and 31 January 2023.

Effect of individual preventive practices on COVID-19 infection: an analysis of big data collected at PCR testing centers in Hiroshima, Japan.

Background: By May 7, 2023, COVID-19 had significantly impacted Japan, with 33,728,909 infections and 74,663 deaths reported. Hiroshima Prefecture alone recorded 816,354 cases and 1,373 deaths. The World Health Organization emphasized the importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for preventing infectious disease transmission.

Temporal Trends in Treatment Interruption among the Victims of Heavy Rain Disasters in Japan: Findings from Emergency Medical Team Data.

Objectives: Treatment interruptions in disaster victims are concerning, owing to an increase in natural disasters and the growing elderly population with chronic conditions. This study examined the temporal trends in treatment interruptions among victims of 2 recent major heavy rain disasters in Japan: West Japan heavy rain in 2018 and Kumamoto heavy rain in 2020.

Methods: Data for this study were derived from the national standardized medical data collection system called the "Japan Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters.

Vaccination Status, Vaccine Awareness and Attitudes, and Infection Control Behaviors of Japanese College Students: A Comparison of 2021 and 2023.

: Now that the spread of COVID-19 has been controlled, it is important to investigate changes in young people's perceptions of the vaccine and their behavior toward infection. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate the association between Omicron strain vaccination rates among college students, their perceptions of the vaccine, and past adverse reactions to the vaccine; (2) to compare 2021 (when COVID-19 was spreading) and 2023 (when COVID-19 was strained) to identify changes in attitudes toward vaccination and motivations for vaccination and changes in infection prevention behavior. : This cross-sectional survey was conducted via e-mail from 5 January to 30 January 2023.

Association Between Health Literacy and Understanding of Doctors' Explanations: The Yamagata Study.

Background: In Japan, the doctor-patient relationship has traditionally been characterized by a power imbalance that may contribute to communication gaps. To date, however, the link between patients' health literacy levels and their understanding of doctors' explanations of medical conditions and treatment has yet to be fully examined in Japan.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between patients' health literacy level and their understanding of doctors' explanations.

Exploring the Gender and Age Demographics of Patients Treated by Emergency Medical Teams during Disasters.

Background: Standardized health-data collection enables effective disaster responses and patient care. Emergency medical teams use the Japan Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED) reporting template to collect patient data. EMTs submit data on treated patients to an EMT coordination cell.

Effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in preventing infection against Omicron strain: Findings from the Hiroshima Prefecture COVID-19 version J-SPEED for PCR center.

Background And Purpose: Despite the widespread adoption of various preventive measures since the spread of COVID-19, there remains a lack of consensus on universally acknowledged best practices. However, the significance of vaccination has risen to prominence as a paramount preventive strategy. Numerous investigations have demonstrated vaccine effectiveness against the omicron strain in severe disease and symptomatic disease, however, the scope of research pertaining to vaccine effectiveness in preventing infection is presently limited.

Potential Risk Factors to COVID-19 Severity: Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Delta- and Omicron-Dominant Periods.

Background: Continued study of risk factors can inform future pandemic preparedness and response. We aimed to determine the potential risk factors of COVID-19 severity among patients admitted to the hospital during the Delta- and Omicron-dominant periods.

Methods: We utilized the J-SPEED-style COVID-19 Hospital version, a pre-administered questionnaire, to collect data from hospitals in Hiroshima Prefecture between 8 August 2021 and 19 April 2022.

Job stress in a multinational corporation: cross-country comparison between Japan and Vietnam.

Objective: The current study aimed to identify workplace stress and how stress factors differed in employees of a multinational company's subsidiaries in Japan and Vietnam.

Methods: For the study, a total of 340 Japanese and 379 Vietnamese workers were included from their corresponding subsidiaries of a multinational company headquartered in Japan. The data were anonymously collected via an online pre-administered questionnaire between November 2021 and February 2022.

Relationship between clinical symptom profiles and COVID-19 infection status during Delta-dominant period versus Omicron-dominant period-analysis of real-world data collected in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Objectives: The present study investigates the diagnosis and prediction of COVID-19 based on clinical symptoms, and corresponding difference between the Delta- and Omicron-dominant periods, using data collected at polymerase chain reaction (PCR) centers in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Methods: Data was collected using a J-SPEED-style COVID-19 standard data collection form. The analysis was done in two directions: calculating the likelihood ratio that clinical symptoms will manifest in "infected" versus "non-infected" individuals and calculating the diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of infection for those who have symptoms compared to those without symptoms.

Emergency Medical Team Response during the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake 2018: J-SPEED Data Analysis.

Introduction: In the last ten years, Japan has experienced several large-scale earthquakes with devastating social and health impacts. Earthquakes directly and indirectly cause a variety of health problems. Further investigation is required to increase preparedness and preventive efforts.

Must countries shoulder the burden of mesothelioma to ban asbestos? A global assessment.

Introduction: Mesothelioma is a key asbestos-related disease (ARD) but can be difficult to diagnose. Countries presumably ban asbestos to reduce future ARD burdens, but it is unknown if countries ban asbestos as a consequence of ARD burdens. We assessed if and to what extent mesothelioma burden has an impact on a country banning asbestos and obtaining targets for preventative strategies.

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Patients Treated by Emergency Medical Teams: Findings from J-SPEED Data Regarding the West Japan Heavy Rain 2018.

It is crucial to provide mental health care following a disaster because the victims tend to experience symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia during the acute phase. However, little research on mental health during the acute phase has been conducted, and reported only in terms of the temporal transition of the number of consultations and symptoms. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine how mental health care needs are accounted for in the overall picture of disaster relief and how they change over time.

Obesity, Burden of Ischemic Heart Diseases and Their Ecological Association: The Case of Uzbekistan.

Ischemic heart diseases are the leading cause of death in Uzbekistan. There are numerous risk factors affecting ischemic heart disease, and obesity is one of the major independent risk factors. This study is the first attempt to estimate the ecological association between obesity prevalence and the burden of ischemic heart disease between 1990 and 2019 in Uzbekistan.

Empowering Children as Agents of Change to Foster Resilience in Community: Implementing "Creative Health" in Primary Schools after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.

The "Creative Heath" project, a participatory school activity to foster community resilience, was implemented in Fukushima, Japan, and children's experiences of the project were assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The project consists of three workshops: BODY, FOOD, and ACT, with activities to facilitate students' scientific and creative thinking, working in teams, presenting, and expressing their opinions. The first two schools participated with 105 students aged 9-11 years old.

Emergency Medical Teams' Responses during the West Japan Heavy Rain 2018: J-SPEED Data Analysis.

Introduction: Rainfall-induced floods and landslides accounted for 20.7% of all disaster events in Japan from 1985 through 2018 and caused a variety of health problems, both directly and indirectly, including injuries, infectious diseases, exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions, and psychological issues. More evidence of health problems caused by floods or heavy rain is needed to improve preparedness and preventive measures; however, collecting health data surrounding disaster events is a major challenge due to environmental hazards, logistical constraints, political and economic issues, difficulties in communication among stakeholders, and cultural barriers.

Tailoring Digital Tools to Address the Radiation and Health Information Needs of Returnees after a Nuclear Accident.

Digital tools are increasingly used for health promotion, but their utility during recovery from a nuclear disaster has yet to be established. This study analysed differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward digital tools for radiation protection and health promotion, and preferences for specific application functions, among cohorts living within and outside areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station (FDNPS) accident. A needs assessment was conducted by internet survey, and responses from those affected (N = 86) and not affected (N = 253) were compared and quantified by an adjusted odds ratio (aOR), using logistic regression analyses.

User-Guided Design of a Digital Tool for Health Promotion and Radiation Protection: Results from an Internet Needs Survey.

Background: Digital tools can be powerful and effective in connecting people with life-saving and health-promoting support when facing a health crisis. To develop a digital application for radiation protection and health promotion for evacuees returning home after the Fukushima nuclear accident, we conducted a needs assessment survey and explored the association of people's eHealth literacy (eHL) level with their digital tool knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP).

Methods: From 339 responses to an online survey, data from 264 lay persons were analyzed.

The Association between Wearing a Mask and COVID-19.

With the widespread and increasing number of cases of Coronavirus Disease (2019) globally, countries have been taking preventive measures against this pandemic. However, there is no universal agreement across cultures on whether wearing face masks are an effective physical intervention against disease transmission. We investigated the relationship between mask wearing and COVID-19 among close contacts of COVID-19 patients in the Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Trends in the Incidence of Sudden Deaths and Heart Diseases in Fukushima After the Great East Japan Earthquake.

On March 11, 2011, a great earthquake, known as the Great East Japan Earthquake, hit northeastern Japan, resulting in a tsunami that caused a nuclear disaster, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, forcing about 160,000 people to evacuate. We, therefore, sought to examine the effects of this evacuation on the onset of cardiovascular diseases and sudden death (SD) in Fukushima Prefecture, three years after the earthquake. We divided the evacuation zone into two areas, whole evacuation zone (Area 1) and partial evacuation zone (Area 2), and we defined the north district of the prefecture as the control area (Area 3).