The proportions of preterm birth (PTB, ie., delivered before 37 gestational weeks) and low weight (LBW, less than 2500 g at delivery) have been rising in developed countries. We sought to examine the factors contributing rise Japan, with particular focus on effects obstetric interventions. used a database maintained by one large regional hospital Shizuoka, Japan. restricted analysis mothers who live singleton births from 1997 2010 (n = 19,221). assessed temporal trends PTB LBW, then divided...

Recent studies suggest that prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with unfavorable neurodevelopment in children. We examined associations between traffic-related and child behavioral development milestone delays, using data from a nationwide population-based longitudinal survey Japan, where the participants were recruited 2001 followed.Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide concentrations during 9 months before birth obtained at municipality level assigned...

Background Japan has the most CT and MRI scanners per unit population in world; however, geographic distribution of these technologies is currently unknown. Moreover, nothing known cause-effect relationship between number diagnostic imaging devices their distribution. Methods Data on CT, PET that utilizations all 1829 municipalities was generated, based Static Survey Medical Institutions conducted by government. The inter-municipality equity or evaluated with Gini coefficient. Results...

Abstract Background Japan has one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates, while annual suicide rate in 2020 risen for first time since 2007. This study aimed to identify high-risk populations and assess impact medical visits on trends post-COVID-19 pandemic Japan. Method quasi-experimental analyzed a population-based database from Hyogo Prefecture (2012–2022). Interrupted time-series analyses identified level trend changes monthly rates per 1 million population during exposure period (2020–2022)...

Objectives The number of studies investigating the health effects long-term exposure to air pollution is increasing, however, most have been conducted in Western countries. status Asian populations may be different that and may, therefore, respond differently exposure. Therefore, we evaluated traffic-related Shizuoka, Japan. Methods Individual data were extracted from participants an ongoing cohort study. A total 14 001 older residents, who randomly chosen all 74 municipalities completed...

Preterm births cause a large public-health burden, and air pollution is considered to be potential risk factor. We evaluated the association between proximity major roads (as an index for pollution) preterm births, classified by gestational age specific clinical manifestations.Data on parental information birth outcomes were extracted from database maintained perinatal hospital in Shizuoka, Japan. restricted analysis mothers who delivered liveborn single 1997 2008 (n = 14,226). Using...

<b>Objective</b> To assess the impact of 2009 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic in England during two waves activity up to end February 2010 by estimating probabilities cases leading severe events and proportion population infected. <b>Design</b> A Bayesian evidence synthesis all available relevant surveillance data estimate severity pandemic. <b>Data sources</b> All systems outbreak from June 2010. Pre-existing systems, including estimated numbers symptomatic based on consultations health service...

Background and Purpose— Few studies have examined the effect of hourly changes in air pollution on cardiovascular disease morbidity. We evaluated associations between risks several types disease. Methods— used a time-stratified case-crossover design. Study participants were 10 949 residents city Okayama, Japan, aged ≥65 years who taken to hospital emergency rooms January 2006 December 2010 for onset calculated representative average concentrations pollutants from monitoring stations exposure...

Epidemiological studies have shown adverse effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on respiratory disease outcomes; however, few examined this association an hourly time scale. We evaluated the associations between changes in and risk elderly, using emergency call as onset for each case.We used a time-stratified case-crossover design. Study participants were 6,925 residents city Okayama, Japan, aged 65 or above who taken hospital rooms January 2006 December 2010 disease. calculated...

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the annual health impacts of particulate matter (PM) less than 10 μm diameter (PM10) and 2.5-μm (PM2.5) in 27 cities Southeast East Asian countries (Japan, Philippines, Republic Korea, Singapore, Vietnam) for year 2009 (n = 50,756,699). Methods: estimated number cases attributable long-term exposure. used a scenario that reduced mean values PM10 PM2.5 20 μg/m3, respectively. Results: A reduction exposure would have postponed 8% 9% all-cause mortality or about...

Evidence linking air pollution with adverse health outcomes is accumulating. However, few studies have adopted a quasi-experimental design to evaluate whether decline in from regulatory action improves public health. We evaluated the effect of diesel emission control ordinance introduced 2003 on mortality rates 23 wards Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan, October 2000 September 2012, taking into account change reference population (Osaka) introduction such regulation 2009.We obtained daily...

Background Despite the impact of heat exposure caused by global warming, few studies have investigated hourly effects and risk cardiovascular disease (CVD) in elderly. We examined associations between short‐term CVD elderly Japan evaluated possible effect‐measure modifications rainy seasons that occur East Asia. Methods Results conducted a time‐stratified case–crossover study. The study included 6527 residents Okayama City, Japan, aged ≥65 years who were transported to emergency hospitals...

Exposure to air pollution has been demonstrated increase the risk of preterm birth and low weight (LBW). Although evidence accumulated on characteristics associated with increased pollution-related health effects, most studies have conducted in adult population reproductive outcomes is limited. We examined whether socio-economic position (SEP) parental (parental behavior co-morbidity) modified relationship between adverse outcomes. Data were extracted from a perinatal hospital database based...