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Ochi S, Mirai S, Hashimoto S, Hashimoto Y, Sekizawa Y. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exercise habits and overweight status in Japan: A nation-wide panel survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001732. [PMID: 37467210 PMCID: PMC10355423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
A catastrophic disaster may cause distant health impacts like immobility and obesity. The aim of this research was to analyse the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and lifestyle factors -exercise habit and overweight status in the Japanese population. Nation-wide online questionnaires were conducted five times from October 2020 to October 2021. The changes in exercise habit, body mass index (BMI) and overweight status (BMI >25kg/m2) were compared between the first questionnaire and a questionnaire conducted a year later. Risk factors for losing exercise habit or becoming overweight were analysed using multiple regression. Data were obtained from 16,642 participants. In the early phase of the pandemic, people with high income and elderly females showed a higher risk for decreased exercise days. The proportion of overweight status increased from 22.2% to 26.6% in males and from 9.3% to 10.8% in females. Middle-aged males, elderly females, and males who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection were at higher risk of becoming overweight. Our findings suggest that risks for immobility and overweight are homogeneous. Continuous intervention for elderly females and long-term intervention for males infected with SARS-CoV-2 might be especially needed. As most disasters can cause similar social transformation, research and evaluation of immobility and obesity should address future disaster preparation/mitigation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Ochi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - So Mirai
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Hashimoto
- Research Department, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Sekizawa
- Research Department, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tokyo, Japan
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Lynch KA, Merdjanoff AA. Impact of Disasters on Older Adult Cancer Outcomes: A Scoping Review. JCO Glob Oncol 2023; 9:e2200374. [PMID: 37290025 PMCID: PMC10497294 DOI: 10.1200/go.22.00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There is an urgent need to address the growing global cancer burden in the context of complex disaster events, which both disrupt access to oncology care and facilitate carcinogenic exposures. Older adults (65 years and older) are a growing population with multifaceted care needs, making them especially vulnerable to disasters. The objective of this scoping review is to characterize the state of the literature concerning older adult cancer-related outcomes and oncologic care after a disaster event. METHODS A search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews, articles were extracted and screened for inclusion. Eligible articles were summarized using descriptive and thematic analyses. RESULTS Thirty-five studies met all criteria for full-text review. The majority focused on technological disasters (60%, n = 21), followed by climate-amplified disasters (28.6%, n = 10) and geophysical disasters (11.4%, n = 4). Thematic analysis classified the current evidence into three major categories: (1) studies concerned with carcinogenic exposure and cancer incidence related to the disaster event, (2) studies examining changes in access to cancer care and cancer treatment disruptions as a result of the disaster event, and (3) studies exploring the psychosocial experiences of patients with cancer affected by a disaster event. Few studies focused on older adults specifically, and most of the current evidence focuses on disasters in the United States or Japan. CONCLUSION Older adult cancer outcomes after a disaster event are understudied. Current evidence suggests that disasters worsen cancer-related outcomes among older adults by disrupting continuity of care and access to timely treatment. There is a need for prospective longitudinal studies following older adult populations postdisaster and studies focused on disasters in low- and middle-income country contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A. Lynch
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Alexis A. Merdjanoff
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
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Ochi S, Murakami M, Hasegawa T, Komagata Y. Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Imperfect Condition: Practical Guidelines for Nursing Homes by Japan Environment and Health Safety Organization (JEHSO). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10188. [PMID: 34639489 PMCID: PMC8508057 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infection control at nursing homes is a top priority to address the COVID-19 pandemic because people who are the most vulnerable to the pathogen live in close contact. Currently, control measures specifically for nursing homes often ignore under-resourced condition of the facilities. To make guidelines assuming realistic conditions, an expert meeting with 16 members established the key challenges in nursing homes, the basics of infection control, and the major transmission routes. A list of existing guidance was compiled and each item in the list was peer-reviewed by eight experts considering three aspects: significance, scientific validity, and feasibility. Factors related to the nursing home environment, the nature of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and patient characteristics were identified as the causes of difficulties in infection control at nursing homes. To develop realistic prevention measures in under-resourced condition such as nursing homes, we may need to accept there are no perfect control measures that can achieve zero risk. Instead, the guidelines are based on the concept of deep defense, and practical checklists with 75 items were established. The evaluation of nursing homes by independent organizations using the checklists would be helpful to achieve sustainable infection control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Ochi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Michio Murakami
- Division of Scientific Information and Public Policy, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan;
| | | | - Yoshinori Komagata
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan;
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Ochi S. 'Life communication' after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster: what experts need to learn from residential non-scientific rationality. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2021; 62:i88-i94. [PMID: 33978175 PMCID: PMC8114210 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rraa135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
After chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) disasters, trepidation and infodemics about invisible hazards may cause indirect casualties in the affected society. Effective communication regarding technical issues between disaster experts and the residents is key to averting such secondary impacts. However, misconceptions about scientific issues and mistrust in experts frequently occur even with intensive and sincere communications. This miscommunication is usually attributed to residents' conflicts with illiteracy, emotion, value depositions and ideologies. However, considering that communication is an interactive process, there are likely to be additional factors attributable to experts. This article aims to summarize the gaps in rationality between experts and residents observed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster to describe how residents perceived experts. There were discrepancies in the perception of 'facts', the perception of probability, the interpretation of risk comparison, what were included as risk trade-offs, the view of the disaster, whose behavior would be changed by the communication and whether risk should be considered a science. These findings suggest that there was a non-scientific rationality among residents, which often exercised a potent influence on everyday decision-making. It might not be residents but experts who need to change their behavior. The discrepancies described in this article are likely to apply to communications following any CBRNE disasters that affect people's lives, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, our experiences in Fukushima may provide clues to averting mutual mistrust between experts and achieving better public health outcomes during and after a crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Ochi
- Corresponding author. Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Katsushika-ku, Aoto 6-41-2, Tokyo, 125-0062, Japan. E-mail:
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Papatheodorou S, Gold DR, Blomberg AJ, Hacker M, Wylie BJ, Requia WJ, Oken E, Fleisch AF, Schwartz JD, Koutrakis P. Ambient particle radioactivity and gestational diabetes: A cohort study of more than 1 million pregnant women in Massachusetts, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 733:139340. [PMID: 32464573 PMCID: PMC7472683 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of chronic metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Internal ionizing radiation from inhaled radioactive aerosol may contribute to the associations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS We used the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records to study 1,061,937 pregnant women from 2001 to 2015 with a singleton pregnancy without pre-existing diabetes. Gross β activity measured by seven monitors of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's RadNet monitoring network was utilized to represent ambient particle radioactivity (PR). We obtained GDM status from birth certificates and used logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics, maternal comorbidities, PM2.5, temperature and relative humidity. We also examined effect modification by smoking habits. RESULTS Ambient particle radioactivity exposure during first and second trimester of pregnancy was associated with higher odds of GDM (OR: 1.18 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.22). Controlling for PM2.5 did not substantially change the effects of PR on GDM. In women that reported being former or current smokers, the association between PR and GDM was null. In the full cohort, the overall effect of PM2.5 on GDM without adjusting for PR was not significant. CONCLUSION This is the first population-based study to examine the association between particle radioactivity and gestational diabetes mellitus - one of the most common pregnancy-related diseases with lifelong effects for the mother and the fetus. This finding has important public health policy implications because it enhances our understanding about the toxicity of PR, a modifiable risk factor, which to date, has been considered only as an indoor and occupational air quality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele Hacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Blair J Wylie
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weeberb J Requia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby F Fleisch
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA; Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Tsubokura M, Murakami M, Takebayashi Y, Nomura S, Ono K, Ozaki A, Sawano T, Kobashi Y, Oikawa T. Impact of decontamination on individual radiation doses from external exposure among residents of Minamisoma City after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant incident in Japan: a retrospective observational study. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2019; 39:854-871. [PMID: 31181542 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab280e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Following the Fukushima incident, radiation doses from external exposure accounted for the majority of the total doses. Although countermeasures are being implemented, with the aim of reducing radiation exposure, little information is available on the effects of decontamination on individual doses among the residents of radioactively contaminated areas. To evaluate the effectiveness of the decontamination measures in reducing individual doses, and to examine the influence of the timing of decontamination and the district, data were analysed for 18 392 adults and 3 650 children in Minamisoma City, Fukushima, who participated in a voluntary screening programme using individual radiation dosimeters (Glass Badge) between June 2013 and September 2016. The dose reduction rates (DRR) were calculated for one year by comparing the first and last three-month measurement results between areas with and without decontamination. Using a regression approach and Monte Carlo simulation, the dose reduction rate by decontamination eliminating the effect of physical decay (DRRd') was also estimated as a function of the timing of the decontamination and the dose at the time of starting the decontamination. The annual DRR in areas with decontamination for both adults and children were significantly higher than those in areas without decontamination, depending on the timing of decontamination: 31%-36% for 2013-14 for adults in decontamination areas and 33%-35% for children in decontamination areas, compared to 12%-23% and 13%-23% for adults and children in areas without decontamination, respectively. There was a positive correlation between DRRd' and individual doses, and DRRd' was estimated at 30%-40% for adults and children with doses of 3 mSv y-1 in 2013 and 2014. This study demonstrated that decontamination does lower individual doses from external exposure. The higher the dose at the time of starting the decontamination, the greater the dose reduction rate by decontamination, regardless of the timing of the decontamination. Our study confirms that decontamination was useful for high-dose areas in the later phases of the incident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Tsubokura
- Research Center for Community Health, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima 975-0033, Japan. Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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Külahcı F, Bilici A. Advances on identification and animated simulations of radioactivity risk levels after Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident (with a data bank): A Critical Review. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06559-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Hasegawa M, Murakami M, Nomura S, Takebayashi Y, Tsubokura M. Worsening Health Status among Evacuees: Analysis of Medical Expenditures after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster in Fukushima. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2019; 248:115-123. [DOI: 10.1620/tjem.248.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Hasegawa
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Michio Murakami
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
- Research Center for Community Health, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital
| | - Yoshitake Takebayashi
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine
- Department of Radiation Protection, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital
- Department of Radiation Protection, Soma Central Hospital
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Murakami M, Kumagai A, Ohtsuru A. BUILDING RISK COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES AMONG PROFESSIONALS: SEVEN ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RISK COMMUNICATION. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 182:120-127. [PMID: 30165706 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the Fukushima disaster, medical professionals have been involved in risk communication with residents affected. This is an urgent issue, and an important aspect of global disaster preparedness is defining the essential characteristics of professional risk communication, and training medical professionals and students to conduct effective risk communication. Using a narrative of risk trade-offs between radionuclides in the diet and traffic accidents as an example, we introduce the seven essential characteristics required by medical professionals and authorities involved in risk communication: (1) risk assessment, (2) differentiating between risk acceptance and risk trade-offs, (3) understanding differences in risk quality, (4) understanding how to frame information given residents' values, (5) giving attention to coping with too-high risk, (6) building trust and (7) fully considering how information is provided. Furthermore, we introduce an example of lectures at which participants can voluntarily learn the seven essential characteristics of risk communication through group discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michio Murakami
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kumagai
- Education Center for Disaster Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akira Ohtsuru
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Education Center for Disaster Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
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Murakami M, Nirasawa T, Yoshikane T, Sueki K, Sasa K, Yoshimura K. Estimation of Dietary Intake of Radionuclides and Effectiveness of Regulation after the Fukushima Accident and in Virtual Nuclear Power Plant Accident Scenarios. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E1589. [PMID: 30050004 PMCID: PMC6121232 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of radiation exposure from diet is necessary under the assumption of a virtual accident as a part of emergency preparedness. Here, we developed a model with complete consideration of the regional food trade using deposition data simulated by a transport model, and estimated the dietary intake of radionuclides and the effectiveness of regulation (e.g., restrictions on the distribution of foods) after the Fukushima accident and in virtual accident scenarios. We also evaluated the dilution factors (i.e., ratios of contaminated foods to consumed foods) and cost-effectiveness of regulation as basic information for setting regulatory values. The doses estimated under actual emission conditions were generally consistent with those observed in food-duplicate and market-basket surveys within a factor of three. Regulation of restricted food distribution resulted in reductions in the doses of 54⁻65% in the nearest large city to the nuclear power plant. The dilution factors under actual emission conditions were 4.4% for radioiodine and 2.7% for radiocesium, which are ~20 times lower than those used in the Japanese provisional regulation values after the Fukushima accident. Strict regulation worsened the cost-effectiveness for both radionuclides. This study highlights the significance and utility of the developed model for a risk analysis of emergency preparedness and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michio Murakami
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Takao Nirasawa
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Takao Yoshikane
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8574, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Sueki
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Kimikazu Sasa
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Kei Yoshimura
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8574, Japan.
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Morita T, Nomura S, Furutani T, Leppold C, Tsubokura M, Ozaki A, Ochi S, Kami M, Kato S, Oikawa T. Demographic transition and factors associated with remaining in place after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and related evacuation orders. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194134. [PMID: 29538442 PMCID: PMC5851610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Demographic changes as a result of evacuation in the acute phase of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster are not well evaluated. We estimated post-disaster demographic transitions in Minamisoma City-located 14-38 km north of the nuclear plant-in the first month of the disaster; and identified demographic factors associated with the population remaining in the affected areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS We extracted data from the evacuation behavior survey administered to participants in the city between July 11, 2011 and April 30, 2013. Using mathematical models, we estimated the total population in the city after the disaster according to sex, age group, and administrative divisions of the city. To investigate factors associated with the population remaining in place after the disaster, a probit regression model was employed, taking into account sex, age, pre-disaster dwelling area, and household composition. RESULTS The overall population decline in Minamisoma City peaked 11 days after the disaster, when the population reached 7,107 people-11% of the pre-disaster level. The remaining population levels differed by area: 1.1% for mandatory evacuation zone, 12.5% for indoor sheltering zone, and 12.6% for other areas of the city. Based on multiple regression analyses, higher odds for remaining in place were observed among men (odds ratio 1.72 [95% confidence intervals 1.64-1.85]) than women; among people aged 40-64 years (1.40 [1.24-1.58]) than those aged 75 years or older; and among those living with the elderly, aged 70 years or older (1.18 [1.09-1.27]) or those living alone (1.71 [1.50-1.94]) than among those who were not. DISCUSSION Despite the evacuation order, some residents of mandatory evacuation zones remained in place, signaling the need for preparation to respond to their post-disaster needs. Indoor sheltering instructions may have accelerated voluntary evacuation, and this demonstrates the need for preventing potentially disorganized evacuation in future nuclear events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Morita
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan
- Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma City, Fukushima, Japan
- Division of Social Communication System for Advanced Clinical Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tomoyuki Furutani
- Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Claire Leppold
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan
- Global Public Health Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan
- Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma City, Fukushima, Japan
- Division of Social Communication System for Advanced Clinical Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ozaki
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Sae Ochi
- Internal Medicine, Soma Central Hospital, Soma City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kami
- Division of Social Communication System for Advanced Clinical Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Kato
- Research Institute of Innovative Medicine, Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
- Center for Regional Cooperation Iwaki Meisei University, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Oikawa
- Department of Research, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma City, Fukushima, Japan
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12
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Hasegawa M, Murakami M, Takebayashi Y, Suzuki S, Ohto H. Social Capital Enhanced Disaster Preparedness and Health Consultations after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Power Station Accident. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018. [PMID: 29538320 PMCID: PMC5877061 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011, there was a strong demand to promote disaster preparedness approaches and health checkups for the prevention of lifestyle diseases. This study examined the yearly change in the percentage of those who prepared for disasters and who utilized health checkups in Fukushima Prefecture, and identified the factors governing disaster preparedness and utilization of health checkups. We used the public opinion survey from 2011 to 2015 (n = 677–779 each year) on prefectural policies that is conducted every year by the Fukushima Prefecture government Public Consultation Unit. We found that the percentage of those who prepare for disasters decreased, while that for health checkups did not significantly change. With regard to disaster preparedness, experiences of disaster enhance disaster preparedness, while bonds with other local people help to maintain preparedness. For health checkups, familiarity with the welfare service was the most important factor governing such consultations. The findings suggest that social capital should be promoted in order to improve disaster preparedness. The findings also suggest that residents’ accessibility to medical and welfare services is also important in promoting the utilization of health checkups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Hasegawa
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Michio Murakami
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Yoshitake Takebayashi
- Department of Health Risk Communication, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Suzuki
- Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, 2-10 Fukasaku, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima 963-7700, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Ohto
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Department of Advanced Cancer Immunotherapy, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
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Sato A, Lyamzina Y. Diversity of Concerns in Recovery after a Nuclear Accident: A Perspective from Fukushima. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E350. [PMID: 29462905 PMCID: PMC5858419 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, tremendous resources have been devoted to recovery, and the Japanese Government is gradually lifting evacuation orders. However, public concerns remain prevalent, affecting some people's return to a normal life and threatening their well-being. This study reviews government reports, academic papers, newspaper articles and conference presentations with the aim of obtaining a better understanding of issues which relate to radiation concerns in the recovery process in the aftermath of the accident. It looks extensively at: (1) the current status of the post-accident operations and existing radiation issues in Fukushima, and (2) approaches taken to engage the public during recovery from five previous comparable nuclear and radiological events: Three Mile Island, Buenos Aires (RA-2 facility), Chernobyl, Goiânia and Tokai-mura. The findings indicate that the limitations and emerging challenges of the current recovery operations cause concerns about radiation exposure in various aspects of day-to-day life. Past experiences suggest that long-term management that take a holistic and cohesive approach is critical for restoration of sustainable livelihoods and for social re-integration. Not only actual risks but also public perceptions of risks should be carefully assessed and addressed in the process of environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Sato
- United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan.
| | - Yuliya Lyamzina
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
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Effect of Radiological Countermeasures on Subjective Well-Being and Radiation Anxiety after the 2011 Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15010124. [PMID: 29329263 PMCID: PMC5800223 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011, concerns about radiation exposure and decline in subjective well-being have been reported. To tackle these problems, various countermeasures in relation to radiation have been implemented. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the effects of radiological countermeasures on subjective well-being (e.g., satisfaction with life (SWL) and emotional well-being) and radiation anxiety, through a questionnaire survey targeting Fukushima residents (N = 1023). Propensity scores matching was applied to evaluate significant effects of radiological countermeasures on subjective well-being and radiation anxiety. Among the radiological countermeasures, thyroid examination, whole body counter, and air dose monitoring showed the highest proportions of participation, utilization, and useful evaluation, suggesting a high degree of public attention focused on these countermeasures. The basic survey was associated with significant increases in SWL and self-rated health (SH). Thyroid examination was significantly associated with not only a reduction in radiation anxiety but also an increase of emotional stress, suggesting the importance of careful design of system and detailed communication. Food inspection was associated with deterioration in SH. Those who utilized explanatory meetings showed increases in sadness, worry, and radiation anxiety, indicating that additional attention is required of the experts and authorities involved in explanatory meetings.
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