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Mayer S, Berger M, Oberndorfer M. Equal in ashes? Exploring socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan based on obituary data in Austria. SSM Popul Health 2023; 24:101550. [PMID: 38021460 PMCID: PMC10665934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the emergence of and changes in socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan requires reliable, longitudinal data. In the absence of administrative data, published obituaries may be one such alternative source. With the validity of drawing relevant data from obituaries not yet established in population health research, this study addresses this gap by estimating socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan in Vorarlberg, Austria. Data for all individuals (n = 1490) with obituaries published (July to December 2022) in a regional newspaper (market share: 56%) were extracted, including different markers of the deceased's socioeconomic status. Linear regression analyses showed that, on average, individuals with medium-sized obituaries lived 6.02 years (95% CI: 4.19, 7.85) and individuals with the largest obituaries 12.04 years (95% CI: 7.04, 17.04) longer than individuals with small obituaries while blue-collar workers lived 10.50 years (95% CI: -14.51, -6.49) shorter than individuals with no occupation (reported). This socioeconomic gradient is in line with findings based on national data sources, and comparisons with official regional data are promising regarding data representativeness and completeness. With obituary size reflecting different costs (€210-€1626) and thus being a novel marker for financial ability, obituaries could also be a useful, innovative data source internationally for historical analyses or "nowcasting" health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Mayer
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Berger
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department Health Economics and Health Policy, Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, Austria
| | - Moritz Oberndorfer
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsiniki, Finland
- Max Planck, University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Yang JM, Kim JH. Effect of trajectory of employment status on all-cause mortality in the late middle-aged and older population: results of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2020). Epidemiol Health 2023; 45:e2023056. [PMID: 37309113 PMCID: PMC10482569 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2023056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study conducted a longitudinal analysis of the effect of trajectory of employment status (TES) on all-cause mortality in late middle-aged and older Koreans based on the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). METHODS After excluding missing values, data on 2,774 participants were analyzed using the chi-square test and the group-based trajectory model (GBTM) for data from the first to fifth KLoSA and the chi-square test, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression for data from the fifth to eighth KLoSA. RESULTS The GBTM analysis identified 5 TES groups: sustained white collar (WC; 18.1%), sustained standard blue collar (BC; 10.8%), sustained self-employed BC (41.1%), WC to job loss (9.9%), and BC to job loss (20.1%). Compared to the sustained WC group, the WC to job loss group had higher mortality at 3 years (hazard ratio [HR], 4.04, p=0.044), 5 years (HR, 3.21, p=0.005), and 8 years (HR, 3.18, p<0.001). The BC to job loss group had higher mortality at 5 years (HR, 2.57, p=0.016) and 8 years (HR, 2.20, p=0.012). Those aged 65 years and older and males in the WC to job loss and BC to job loss groups had an increased risk of death at 5 years and 8 years. CONCLUSIONS There was a close association between TES and all-cause mortality. This finding highlights the need for policies and institutional measures to reduce mortality within vulnerable groups with an increased risk of death due to a change in employment status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Min Yang
- Institute for Digital Life Convergence, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
- Department of Public Health, General Graduate School of Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Jae Hyun Kim
- Institute for Digital Life Convergence, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
- Department of Health Administration, Dankook University College of Health Science, Cheonan, Korea
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Ma X. Impact of Long Working Hours on Mental Health: Evidence from China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1641. [PMID: 36674394 PMCID: PMC9866749 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Although previous studies have examined the impact of long working hours on mental health in China, they have not addressed the initial value and reverse causality issues. To bridge this gap in the literature, I conducted a dynamic longitudinal analysis to investigate the association between long working hours and the risk of mental illness nationwide. Using three-wave longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2018, I adopted dynamic regression models with lagged long working hours variables to examine their association with the risk of mental illness. The results indicate that long working hours have positive and significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) associations with the risk of mental illness (OR: 1.12~1.22). The effect is more significant for women, white-collar workers, and employees in micro-firms, compared with their counterparts (i.e., men, pink- and blue-collar workers, employees of large firms, and self-employed individuals). The results provide empirical evidence of the effects of long working hours on mental health in China, confirming the need to enforce the regulations regarding standard working hours and monitor regulatory compliance by companies, as these factors are expected to improve mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ma
- Faculty of Economics, Hosei University, 4342 Machita-shi Aiharamachi, Tokyo 194-0298, Japan
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Dhungel B, Murakami T, Gilmour S, Ikeda S, Wada K. Occupation- and industry-specific cancer mortality among Japanese women from 1980 to 2015. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2003. [PMID: 36320013 PMCID: PMC9628126 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14304-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of women in Japan who continue working after childbirth is on the rise. Over the past few years, Japan's cancer mortality rate has increased. About 50% of all cancer deaths among Japanese women aged 25-64 are caused by lung, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. This study aims to examine the difference in mortality risk for key cancers among women and explore the effect of the economic crisis in the mid-1990s separately for occupational and industrial categories. METHODS Data from 1980 to 2015 were gathered from the Japanese Population Census and National Vital Statistics conducted in the same year. A Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate mortality risk and mortality trends for lung, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancer among Japanese working women aged 25-64 years. RESULTS Across most industrial and occupational groups, the trends in age-standardised cancer mortality rate for women have declined. Workers in management, security and transportation have a higher cancer mortality risk than sales workers. The risk of death from all four cancers is higher for workers in the mining and electricity industries than for wholesale and retail workers. CONCLUSION To improve the health and well-being of employed Japanese women, it is crucial to monitor cancer mortality trends. Using these population-level quantitative risk estimates, industry- and occupation-specific prevention programmes can be developed to target women at higher cancer risk and enable the early detection and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibha Dhungel
- grid.419588.90000 0001 0318 6320Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke’s International University, Tsukiji, Tokyo Japan ,Department of Health Policy, National Centre for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomoe Murakami
- grid.411731.10000 0004 0531 3030Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-1-26 Akasaka, 107-8402 Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Stuart Gilmour
- grid.419588.90000 0001 0318 6320Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke’s International University, Tsukiji, Tokyo Japan
| | - Shunya Ikeda
- grid.411731.10000 0004 0531 3030Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-1-26 Akasaka, 107-8402 Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Wada
- grid.411731.10000 0004 0531 3030Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-1-26 Akasaka, 107-8402 Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
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Dhungel B, Murakami T, Wada K, Ikeda S, Gilmour S. Difference in Mortality Rates by Occupation in Japanese Male Workers Aged 25 to 64 Years from 1980 to 2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11328. [PMID: 36141600 PMCID: PMC9517138 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the trends in mortality among Japanese working men, across various occupational categories, from 1980 to 2015. A Poisson model of trend, occupational category, and step variable was analysed for eight occupational categories separately, by cause, to explore the trends in mortality. This study found a sharp increase in mortality in the late 1990s, especially among professionals and managers. The overall trends in cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and suicide mortality decreased across almost all occupational categories from 1980 to 2015, although there was an increasing trend in cancer of 0.5% among managers. Clerical workers had the greatest relative decrease in mortality rates from cancer (-82.9%), IHD (-81.7%), and CVD (-89.1%). Japan continues to make gains in lowering mortality and extending life expectancy, but its workplace culture must improve to ensure that those working at the heart of the Japanese corporate world can also benefit from Japan's progress in health. Mortality rates in working-aged Japanese men have been declining. However, similar declines are not evident among managers, for whom the mortality rate is remaining stable or slightly increasing. There is a need to address the needs of managers and improve workplace environments for these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibha Dhungel
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke’s International University, Tsukiji, Tokyo 104-0044, Japan
- Department of Health Policy, National Centre for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Tomoe Murakami
- Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Akasaka, Tokyo 107-8402, Japan
| | - Koji Wada
- Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Akasaka, Tokyo 107-8402, Japan
| | - Shunya Ikeda
- Graduate School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Akasaka, Tokyo 107-8402, Japan
| | - Stuart Gilmour
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke’s International University, Tsukiji, Tokyo 104-0044, Japan
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Jang J, Kim I. Mortality of Suicide and Cerebro-Cardiovascular Diseases by Occupation in Korea, 1997-2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10001. [PMID: 36011632 PMCID: PMC9408394 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although studies on occupational mortality have been conducted in Korea, the results for occupations with high mortality around 2010 are inconsistent. This study aimed to examine occupational mortality from overwork-related suicide and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases (CCVD) from 1997 to 2020. We used microdata of the Causes of Death Statistics (CDS) and Economically Active Population Survey (EAPS) to obtain indirect standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized proportional mortality ratio (PMR) of suicide (X60-X84) and CCVD deaths (I20-I25 and I60-I69) by gender and eight occupational categories. The trend of SMR of suicide and CCVD by occupation was similar within individual genders. The SMR of managers (MNG) was the highest for men and women in 2012-2017 and 2008-2020, respectively, whereas the SMR of professionals and related workers (PRF) was consistently low. Despite the similar socioeconomic status of MNG and PRF, we suggest that their mortality should be analyzed separately in Korea. SMR of suicide and CCVD in female MNG were consistently highest, although the PMR was low. Female MNG may have been more directly affected by the economic crisis. There is a need for work-related stress management, early intervention, and prevention policies in occupations vulnerable to mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungwon Jang
- Institute for Health and Society, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Inah Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
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Okui T, Matoba T, Nakashima N. The association between the socioeconomic deprivation level and ischemic heart disease mortality in Japan: an analysis using municipality-specific data. Epidemiol Health 2022; 44:e2022059. [PMID: 35879856 PMCID: PMC9754915 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2022059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Geographical variation in the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for ischemic heart disease (IHD) among municipalities has not been assessed in Japan. Additionally, associations between area-level socioeconomic deprivation indices and IHD mortality have not been identified in Japan. The present study investigated this association. METHODS Information on IHD mortality was extracted from Vital Statistics data from 2018 to 2020 for each municipality in Japan. The socioeconomic deprivation level was derived from multiple socioeconomic characteristics. We classified municipalities into quintiles based on the deprivation level and investigated the association between the deprivation level and the SMR of IHD. Additionally, a Bayesian spatial regression model was used to investigate this association, adjusting for other municipal characteristics. RESULTS Geographical variation in the SMR of IHD was revealed, and municipalities with high SMRs were spatially clustered. There was a weak negative correlation between the socioeconomic deprivation level and the SMRs (correlation coefficient, -0.057 for men and -0.091 for women). In contrast, the regression analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between deprived areas and the IHD mortality rate, and the relative risks for the most deprived municipalities compared with the least deprived municipalities were 1.184 (95% credible interval [CrI], 1.110 to 1.277) and 1.138 (95% CrI, 1.048 to 1.249) for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A weak negative correlation between the socioeconomic deprivation level and the SMR was observed in the descriptive analysis, while the regression analysis showed that living in deprived areas was statistically positively associated with the IHD mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Okui
- Medical Information Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan,Correspondence: Tasuku Okui Medical Information Center, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan E-mail:
| | - Tetsuya Matoba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Nakashima
- Medical Information Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
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Changes in cause-specific mortality trends across occupations in working-age Japanese women from 1980 to 2015: a cross-sectional analysis. BMC Womens Health 2022; 22:44. [PMID: 35193556 PMCID: PMC8861597 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Reducing health inequalities is an important public health challenge. Many studies have examined the widening health gap by occupational class among men, but few among women. We therefore estimated variation in absolute and relative mortality by occupational category across four leading causes of mortality—cancer, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and suicide—to explore how occupational class is associated with health among working women aged 25–64 in Japan. Methods We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using Poisson regression analysis on each five-yearly mortality data from 1980 to 2015, obtained from the National Vital Statistics and the Japanese Population Census. Results There was a decreasing trend in mortality from all cancers, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and suicide among women in all occupational groups from 1980 to 2015. Agriculture workers had higher risk of mortality than professional workers for all four causes of death. The absolute difference in mortality rates for all cancers and cerebrovascular disease was higher in 2000–2015 than 1980–1995. The mortality trend among clerks and sales workers decreased after 2000, except for suicide. Conclusions Mortality rates from all four causes are higher among agriculture workers compared to professional workers, and attention is needed to reduce this mortality gap. Continuous monitoring of ongoing mortality trends is essential to ensure better health and wellbeing in Japan. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01621-4.
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Dhungel B, Tsuguhiko K, Kachi Y, Ochi M, Gilmour S, Takehara K. Prevalence of and associated factors for psychological distress among single fathers in Japan. J Epidemiol 2021. [PMID: 34690244 PMCID: PMC10165216 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20210273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Japan, ten percent of single-parent households are led by fathers. Taking care of children as a single father is very stressful and could put a strain on their health. It is very important to prevent and identify psychological distress among fathers for both their own health and to avoid negative impacts on children. This study aims to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with psychological distress among single fathers and understand how it is different from partnered fathers. METHODS We used data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2016. Psychological distress, assessed using the K6 scale, was analysed among 868 single and 43,880 partnered fathers. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk factors for psychological distress such as employment type, sleep hours, smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS Single fathers had a higher proportion (8.5%) of psychological distress compared to partnered fathers (5.0%). A large percentage of single fathers had a lower educational level and were non-regular workers, self-employed or unemployed, compared to partnered fathers. Among single fathers, the crude and adjusted odds ratio for employment type and sleep hours were significantly associated with psychological distress. CONCLUSION As single parents who are self-employed or directors are likely to have significantly reduced psychological distress than those with regular jobs, measures are needed to improve the work-family balance for non-self-employed fathers. There is a need to provide assistance to improve the quality and amount of sleep of single fathers to ensure their and their children's good health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibha Dhungel
- Department of Health Policy, National Centre for Child Health and Development.,Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University
| | - Kato Tsuguhiko
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University.,Department of Social Medicine, National Centre for Child Health and Development
| | - Yuko Kachi
- Department of Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine.,School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University
| | - Manami Ochi
- Department of Social Medicine, National Centre for Child Health and Development.,Department of Health and Welfare Services, National Institute of Public Health
| | - Stuart Gilmour
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University
| | - Kenji Takehara
- Department of Health Policy, National Centre for Child Health and Development
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Dhungel B, Murakami T, Wada K, Gilmour S. Mortality risks among blue- and white-collar workers: A time series study among Japanese men aged 25-64 years from 1980 to 2015. J Occup Health 2021; 63:e12215. [PMID: 33837627 PMCID: PMC8035635 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to analyse age-standardised mortality trends in Japan among blue- and white-collar male workers aged 25-64 years, by major causes of mortality from 1980 to 2015. METHODS Five-yearly mortality data were extracted from occupation-specific vital statistics maintained by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. A time series study was conducted among employed men aged 25-64 years. Age-standardised mortality trends by occupational category were calculated separately for all cancers, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and suicide. Poisson regression analysis was performed to analyse mortality trends by occupational category for each cause. RESULTS Mortality rates for all cancers and ischaemic heart disease were higher among white-collar workers than blue-collar workers throughout the 35-year study period. The gap in the mortality rates for all four causes of death among blue- and white-collar workers widened in 2000 after Japan's economic bubble burst in the late 1990s. Simultaneously, suicide mortality rates among white-collar workers increased sharply and have remained higher than among blue-collar workers. CONCLUSIONS White-collar male workers in Japan have a higher risk of mortality than male blue-collar workers. However, despite substantial differences, significant progress has been made in recent years in reducing mortality across all occupations in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibha Dhungel
- Graduate School of Public HealthSt. Luke's International UniversityTokyoJapan
- Department of Health PolicyNational Centre for Child Health and DevelopmentTokyoJapan
| | - Tomoe Murakami
- Graduate School of Public HealthInternational University of Health and WelfareTokyoJapan
| | - Koji Wada
- Graduate School of Public HealthInternational University of Health and WelfareTokyoJapan
| | - Stuart Gilmour
- Graduate School of Public HealthSt. Luke's International UniversityTokyoJapan
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