Project

How does social inequality and socioeconomic status (SES) affect health, especially among children? How can we measure its impact and determine the relationship between disease outcomes? To answer these questions, we conduct research using original and secondary data, including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s 21st Century Born Longitudinal Study; Japan Aging Evaluation Study (JAGES); J-SHINE (English Elementary School Instructor Accreditation Council); Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty Study (A-CHILD); and other childhood-related data collected in collaboration with local municipalities. Furthermore, we focus on how, and to what extent, social capital in turn can promote health.

We also use data from the US, Finland, Mongolia, and China to conduct international comparative studies on these topics.

We research how child poverty including lower childhood SES, and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) such as child abuse or exposure to domestic violence (DV), may induce the onset of disease in childhood and later in life. For this research topic we also use existing data, such as from the Japan Aging Evaluation Study (JAGES), JSHINE, Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty Study (A-CHILD), and from local municipalities. In addition, we conduct comparative international studies by drawing on similar data from the US, Finland, Mongolia, and China.

We conducted surveys in several municipalities, yielding data reflecting more than 20,000 respondents, in order to illuminate the prevalence and risk factors for shaken baby syndrome. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, an educational DVD aimed at the prevention of shaken baby syndrome was developed and posted to YouTube. We then examined the effectiveness of this educational material in a community versus hospital setting using a randomized controlled trial design.

Prevalence and factors related to child maltreatment are also being examined using representative data from the Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty Study (A-CHILD).

Another study investigates biological mechanisms of intergenerational childrearing through observation of the parenting behavior of three generations (grandmothers, mothers and their children) living in Tokyo and Okinawa, along with analysis of biomarkers such as genes and oxytocin.

In another research project, we are examining the impact of abuse on the health of pre-adolescents through a comparison of children living in and out of childcare centers.

We are also currently collaborating with Adachi City in an intervention study aimed at working with gravida to prevent child maltreatment. In this project, public health nurses visit the homes of high-risk pregnant women to provide parenting and health guidance using an educational smartphone application we developed (see details on JST project page).

Based on evidence that gravida mental illness is one risk factor for child maltreatment, we implemented an intervention study in which public health nurses visited the homes of high-risk pregnant women living in Adachi City. Domestic violence during pregnancy was also investigated as one major risk factor for maternal mental health (see details on the JST project page).

In another study, pregnancy records are linked with the medical checkups of neonatal to 3-year-old children to investigate the association between gravida mental health and child health outcomes, including development and maltreatment.

In order to determine the long-term impact of disaster-related trauma on child mental health, we are conducting a cohort study of children living in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefecture who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. For comparison, children in Mie prefecture are also participating. Data collection includes time preference, heart rate variability and blood pressure as well as recordings from FaceReader, which assesses emotion from facial expressions.

Other research includes collecting data on suspected autism spectrum disorder, behavior problems, prosocial behavior, resilience, self-esteem, and the perceived happiness of children.

We investigate the impact of nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood on developmental disorders, and mental illness.

In Adachi City, we are currently researching the impact of food environments and health education on the eating behaviors and nutritional intake of children in day care, primary, and junior high school.

We are linking primary data collected from municipalities in Niigata and Miyagi prefectures to JAGES (Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study) and GIS data in order to assess the health impact of the physical environment (access to parks, pathways and grocery stores) on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the elderly and their cognitive function.

Using global and planetary health perspectives, we are also researching the health impact of climate change.

From Internet-based survey data, we are analyzing the impact of work-place social capital, power and maternity harassment on the health of workers in a corporate environment.

Descriptive epidemiology, risk communication for behavioral change, policy evaluation, health effect on COVID-19 pandemic using population-based study in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi, Japan (U-CORONA Study) and internet-based study using JACSIS(Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey).