The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the implementation of public health measures globally. The health department of local governments has played a critical role in confronting COVID-19. In Japan, public health centers (PHCs) are focal points for COVID-19 response. Understanding the response to COVID-19 in local areas is critical to ensure adequate preparation for future emergencies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify how the COVID-19 operations by PHCs in Japan were managed and facilitated at the beginning of the infection spread, and their future challenges. We designed a case study that included two PHCs with a population of approximately 400,000 in Japan. Semi-structured focus group interviews with public health nurses from these two PHCs were conducted in September and October 2020. The data were analyzed using chronological time-series analysis. The switch to crisis response was encouraged by the business continuity plan. Their operations for the prevention of COVID-19 in the community were facilitated by the existing network. Further, strengthening the knowledge and skill regarding infectious disease control and management skills during infectious disease-related health emergencies were recommended. It is important to ensure that the environment facilitates emergency response and that people-and-community-centered health promotion activities are conducted, during an emergency situation, with more innovative action and leadership.

Background: Prenatal care (PNC) is a crucial health service that reduces the potential risks of adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes. It is monitored as one of the indicators of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, there are still mothers who do not use PNC, even when UHC has been achieved. As there have been few reports on the impact of local socio-environmental characteristics within the country, this study aimed to examine the association between local socio-environmental factors and inadequate use of PNC in Japan. Methods: We conducted an ecological analysis of 47 prefectures in Japan using public open data. The dependent variables were the inadequate use of PNC, which are the rates of pregnant women who missed visiting PNC until 28 weeks’ gestational age (GA) or those who never attended PNC before childbirth, and the independent variables were prefectural data of socio-economic, educational, and healthcare workforce-related factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations. Results: The rate of pregnant women with late PNC initiation and never attending PNC before childbirth was 3.00–11.24 and 0.23–8.06 per 1000 pregnant women, respectively. Population numbers and densities, divorce rates, percentages of non-Japanese nationalities, and low percentages of high school enrolment were positively associated with inadequate PNC use. There was no statistically significant association with healthcare workforce, such as the number of obstetricians and gynaecologists. Conclusions: This ecological study revealed that inadequate PNC use is more common in urban areas with more non-Japanese nationality and lower education enrolment. There may be a need to provide education for those who do not have access to reproductive health education, such as that offered in high schools. Further studies are required to examine factors that affect access to PNC in Japan.

Japan's largest platform for academic e-journals: J-STAGE is a full text database for reviewed academic papers published by Japanese societies

Background: Globally, the population of older adults has greatly increased, and active aging—whereby older adults can live healthy and fulfilling lives—is considered crucial for a sustainable society. However, the concept and practice of active aging are highly debated because it is unclear how people perceive active aging. This study explored Japanese people’s attitudes toward active aging (ATAA) and examined the associations between ATAA scores and sociodemographic variables, views on older adults, and self-rated life and health. Methods: This study used data obtained from an online survey that originally targeted adults of all generations in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. In this study, we used only data from Japanese participants to elaborate on factors associated with ATAA in Japan. We conducted a one-way analysis of variance test and multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the associations between the ATAA scores of 506 Japanese individuals and sociodemographic variables, views on older adults, and self-rated life and health. Results: The sample comprised 171 females and 335 males. The mean (± SD) ATAA score of the 506 respondents was 138.8 (± 20.80). Females had a significantly higher ATAA score than males (144.02 versus 136.13, F = 26.29, p < 0.001). The respondents with higher education attainment, religious beliefs, better views on older adults, and better self-rated health were more likely to have a positive ATAA score (B: 3.83, 95% CI: 0.11, 7.56; B: 4.31, 95% CI: 0.93, 7.69; B: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.61, 2.53; B: 2.87, 95% CI: 0.92, 4.82, respectively). Being male, single (i.e., never married, divorced, or widowed) and other non-married marital statuses, and satisfied with one’s financial condition were negatively associated with ATAA (B: -8.73, 95% CI: -12.49, -4.96; B: -5.47, 95% CI: -9.07, -1.86; B: -2.04, 95% CI: -3.99, -0.09, respectively). Conclusions: This study identified that females have more positive ATAA than males. Better views on older adults are a possible contributing factor that promotes ATAA among Japanese people. Our findings provide useful evidence that an approach towards those who are male, single, and economically satisfied is needed so that they have a positive attitude toward aging in Japan. It is necessary to address ageism and develop an environment in which individuals can expect to age actively.