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Specific health checkups in Japan: The present situation analyzed using 5-year statistics and the future

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Abstract

The forthcoming very elderly society threatens to render the health insurance system of Japan dysfunctional. To solve this issue, a new screening and interventional program specifically targeting metabolic syndrome commenced in April 2008. This program targeted individuals in the age group 40–74 years. The program sought to prevent the risk of development of lifestyle-related diseases. In this review, we analyze 5-year statistical data, discuss the efficiency of the screening program, and offer a brief explanation of the applicability of information communication technology (ICT). Intervention was effective to prevent metabolic syndrome based on physiological parameters. Using ICT, a database has been created to collect both health checkup records and receipts. Computer- and Web-based health guidance has been attempted but no reports thereon have yet been published. Further efforts should be made to improve the design, cost, and handling characteristics of both the software and hardware.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Osaka Electro-Communication University, Osaka, Japan

    Toshiyo Tamura

  2. Health Science Center, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan

    Yutaka Kimura

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  1. Toshiyo Tamura
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  2. Yutaka Kimura
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Correspondence to Toshiyo Tamura.

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Tamura, T., Kimura, Y. Specific health checkups in Japan: The present situation analyzed using 5-year statistics and the future. Biomed. Eng. Lett. 5, 22–28 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-015-0172-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-015-0172-4

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