Research Details

Utilizing various resources in Shizuoka Prefecture,
we disseminate cutting-edge knowledge to contribute to the advancement of public health.

Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health is conducting research on more than 20 topics related to medical care and prevention by making full use of an 8 year database of health checkup information from medical and nursing care receipt data covering 2.2 million Shizuoka Prefecture residents enrolled in Japan’s National Health Insurance scheme.
In addition, we have established a 20,000-person cohort of local residents in Shizuoka Prefecture, and have started epidemiological research to boldly tackle problems that Japan will face in the near future, such as dementia and an aging society, by collecting a wide variety of clinical information that goes beyond the boundaries of individual specialized medical departments. In addition to these university-led projects, we are also engaged in a broad range of public health research utilizing the expertise of individual faculty members.

Cohort studies（Professor Yasuharu Tabara and Professor Nagato Kuriyama）: A cohort study is a study that seeks to clarify the causes (risk factors) of various diseases by following a population for an extended period of time. Until now, most studies have focused on macro risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. However, these factors alone cannot fully explain the causes of disease. In the Shizuoka Cohort, we will collect detailed clinical information from 20,000 people who live or work in the prefecture, and analyze biological samples and genomes using the latest analytical equipment in an attempt to further elucidate the etiology of various diseases. Another important role of cohort studies is use research results to inform society and thus contribute to improved health outcomes. In the Shizuoka Cohort, which will be run mainly by the university in cooperation with various cities and towns in the prefecture, we will disseminate sucessful Shizuoka Model examples via the development of preventive activities based on research results obtained in collaboration with various related parties.

Medical statistics and medical big data（Associate Professor Eiji Nakatani and Lecturer Yoko Sato）: In medical statistics, we explore methods for unraveling patterns hidden in population data and reveal relationships among items of interest, with the goal of assessing the causal effects of interventions and policies on human health. Starting with a breakthrough in causal inference approximately 20 years ago, it has become possible to investigate causal effects in observational studies. More recently, it has also become possible to generate a high level of evidence by creating data for randomized controlled trials from medical big data and its analysis. At our university, we are also working on medical big data research using the medical, nursing care, and health checkup data of Shizuoka Prefecture's National Health Insurance and Late-Stage Senior Citizen Health Insurance subscribers. To date, we have consolidated the data at the individual level, taken appropriate steps to visualize and clean this data, and developed it into a longitudinal database. We are currently conducting various studies on medical and health issues using this database, the results of which will be reported as part of the Shizuoka Study, which includes a genome cohort study.

Clinical genetics and genomic medicine（Professor Takeshi Usui and Professor Kazuo Kinoshita）: With the recent progress in the field of genomics, genomic medicine is playing a leading role not only in our daily practice but also in preventive medicine and so-called preemptive medicine. In order to share information obtained from genomic research with society, the unique nature of the information necessitates a general improvement in the literacy of recipients, as well as improved methods for conveying the information. In our research, we hope to develop the infrastructure for sound genomic medicine. Professor Kinoshita's research focuses on AID, an enzyme that introduces mutations into DNA. This enzyme rewrites the information in antibody genes and is involved in immune systme memory. It produces IgE antibodies, which cause atopic dermatitis and hay fever. It also acts on genes other than antibodies and can cause cancer. We are developing AID inhibitors with the goal of treating allergies and preventing cancer. We also conduct research on genetic predisposition to immunological disorders and cancer.

Auditory linguistics（Professor Akira Takagi）: Without the ability to hear, it is extremely difficult to learn how to speak. Severe congenital hearing impairment occurs as often as one in every 1,500 newborn children. Most of these incidences of deafness are caused by genetic factors which affect the inner ear, or cochlea, which converts vibrations into electricity, making hearing aids, which amplify sound, useless. However, the nerve cells most typically remain present and functional, the auditory nerve in the cochlea can be stimulated by direct electrical stimulation using a cochlear implant. Although the information from the cochlear implant is degraded and limited, the young human brain can process it to acquire spoken language at levels approaching that of individuals with normal hearing. However, for the smooth acquisition of spoken language, cochlear implantation needs to take place during the auditory perception period around the age of one year. Additionally, intervention designed to promote auditory use is important. For this reason, it is essential to establish a system for the early detection and intervention of hearing loss and there is an urgent need to need to develop human resources, such as experts intervening with children and their parents as well as hearing specialists. In addition to these challenges, we will also search for effective intervention methods based on brain science research and auditory development research.

Health communication（Professor Seiichiro Yamamoto）: What comes to mind when you hear the term “health communication”? For this university, health communication is a subject that involves studying effective means of encouraging individuals to change their behavior to improve their health. Classes are taught in a participatory manner, typical of a graduate school, using specific examples such as smoking cessation, physical activity, vegetable intake, and health checkups and examinations. Students in this course will be amazed at the power of health communication which incorporates behavioral science and behavioral economics. However, no matter how effective the method developed, it is useless if it cannot be used in actual practice. In this field, we aim to develop methodologies to bridge the evidence-practice gap for health problems that can be approached through health communication, and to develop effective methods that can be used and disseminated in the real world. Please come and learn about the latest discipline of Dissemination & Implementation science.

Medical sociology and thanatology （Professor Hiroshi Yamazaki）: I am involved in qualitative evaluation research on public-private partnership grief support projects, participatory action research to build supportive communities for the difficulties of bereavement, and research on problems among bereaved families in spousal bereavement. People facing grief as a result of bereavement are a group at high risk of suffering or dying from physical and mental illnesses, and often require care and support. While it is possible to provide care and support for bereaved families and other bereavement survivors within the framework of clinical medicine and hospital care, I am seeking ways to provide support by examining the nature of community care and other informal care (care by non-medical professionals such as those in self-care and family care) within the framework of sociology and thanatology, my areas of expertise. My approach to research is to use qualitative research methods that emphasize the perspectives of the people involved, as well as equal collaboration between the concerned parties and researchers in studies and activities intended to bring about social change.