Greetings
The 82nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health
President Nanako Tamiya
Professor, University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Medicine, Health Services Research
Director, University of Tsukuba, Health Services Research and Development Center
I am honoured to address our esteemed colleagues at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health, to convene in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, from October 31 to November 2, 2023.
Public health is conventionally defined as "the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts" (C.E.A. Winslow; WHO 1949).
The unprecedented emergence of COVID-19 has demanded an organized communal effort, underscoring the crucial role of public health. I wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all frontline personnel, including those in public health centers and clinical services.
In addition to COVID-19, Japan is also confronting the challenges presented by an aging population and declining birth rates, which further emphasizes the importance of a cohesive public health strategy. Our collective goal should be to foster a nationwide understanding of public health as a science and technology-based community endeavor, engaging public health professionals—governmental bodies, universities, research institutes, healthcare practitioners, and corporations—across Japan.
The meeting will be held in "Smart City Tsukuba", a sprawling hub of research and education nestled in the Hitachino plains with a panoramic view of Mount Tsukuba. The year 2023 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the inception of this research university city, and of the founding of Tsukuba University. Simultaneously, it marks the 50th anniversary of the University of Tsukuba's establishment. As the University of Tsukuba's student anthem envisions, "a white tower soars above the fields of Hitachino", we celebrate the harmonious integration of nature and human intellect that has drawn numerous research institutes, corporations, and universities to this significant location. I take great pleasure in welcoming you all to The Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health at this juncture. It is my sincere hope that we can collectively share the satisfaction of having navigated together these trying times. The principal theme of this Annual Meeting is "The Evolution and Harmonization of Health and Long-term Care Services through the Synergy of Practice and Research". I posit that the interplay between practice and research in public health can engender health services that truly contribute to human well-being. My aspiration for this conference is to spark dynamic discussions that will germinate and foster the seeds of synergy. Tsukuba City, the meeting venue, is conveniently located only 45 minutes from central Tokyo via the Tsukuba Express rapid train. You can explore Tsukuba and Hitachi-Kaihin Park, and savor the unique tastes of Ibaraki Prefecture, such as Hitachiniku beef and Anko-nabe. It is my hope that your stay in Ibaraki will prove meaningful, extending beyond the Annual Meeting itself. I eagerly anticipate your presence at the Annual Meeting. December, 2022