Department of Hygiene, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University

30/07/2025

🌏 Upcoming Symposium 🌡️👵👴

Bridging Nations, Protecting Generations
🔍 Prevention Strategies against Climate-sensitive Diseases in Elderly Populations of Japan and Germany

Extreme heat and aging societies? Learn how leading experts are teaming up to address one of the most pressing health challenges today. Join us at Hokkaido University or online via Zoom!

🗓️ August 28, 2025
🕒 16:00–18:15 Japan / 09:00–11:15 Germany
🎤 Language: English
📍 Location: Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University + Online
✨ Featuring top researchers from Japan and Germany
✨ Engaging insights into planetary health and aging
✨ Open to health professionals, students, and policymakers!

🖱️ Registration link: https://forms.gle/1DtDyFnCS8zBLpF2A
📩 Additional information, contact: Prof. Kayo Ueda at [email protected]

Let’s protect generations through research, dialogue, and action. 💙

11/07/2025

🌏 Workshop Wrap-Up | Climate Change, Migration, and Health 🌏

We’ve just wrapped up the Hokkaido University – The University of Melbourne Joint Workshop:
“Challenges & Opportunities of Climate Change Impact on Migrant Health in Australia and Japan”
🗓️ July 9–11, 2025 | 📍 Hokkaido University | Hybrid Format

This 2.5-day event brought together a diverse community of researchers, educators, and practitioners across public health, education, and social policy to discuss one of today’s most urgent challenges: the intersection of climate change, migration, and health.

🔍 Key Highlights:
- Powerful testimonies on why people migrate: economic opportunity, education, climate disasters, war, and aging workforces.
- Focus Group simulations explored health risks faced by migrants, such as respiratory illness, malnutrition, and challenges with treatment access across borders.
- Deep dive into women’s reproductive health, revealing how language barriers, institutional policies, and systemic bias can impact care.
- Urgent concerns around mental health and eco-anxiety, especially in island communities and among children.
- Barriers to healthcare access: from affordability and insurance limitations to overstretched night clinics and limited pediatric care.
- Creative ideas for inclusive, climate-responsive health policy, including migrant representation in decision-making, permanent residency options, and education around Planetary Health.
- Recognition that remittance-driven economies are highly vulnerable in a changing climate, prompting a call for equitable, sustainable migration pathways.

🙌 A big thank you to our insightful speakers and moderators:
🎤 Prof. Kathryn Bowen
🎤 Prof. Kayo Ueda
🎤 Asst. Prof. Kazutaka Yoshida
🎤 Prof. Hyunjoo Naomi Chi
🎤 Assoc. Prof. Yasufumi Moritani
🎤 Assoc. Prof. Xerxes Seposo
🎤 Assoc. Prof. Karen Block
🎤 Ms. Gemma Tarpey-Brown
🎤 Dr. Eliza Crosbie

Together, we’ve planted the seeds for deeper collaboration and action to support migrant communities navigating both climate and health challenges.

29/10/2024

🌍 New Study Alert! 🌡️

Discover how PM2.5 and ozone impact the relationship between temperature and mortality in Japan’s urban areas. This study shows that while PM2.5 and ozone levels are crucial, their combined impact on temperature is even more significant.

Let’s work towards better air quality and climate resilience! 🌱🌡️ Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.24-00108

07/08/2024

🌍 Vital Research on Air Pollution and Heat Effects! 🌡️🔥

A new study by our group reveals the independent effects of air pollution from vegetation fires and extreme heat on mortality in Upper Northern Thailand. This research underscores the importance of targeted health interventions.

Key Points:

Mortality Risk: Both factors independently increase all-cause mortality risk.
No Synergistic Effect: Combined exposure does not amplify the risk.
Preventive Measures: Essential to implement fire management and heat-health action plans.

Learn more about these critical findings and their impact on public health! https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c08074 🌱📊

05/08/2024

🌍 New Publication Alert! 🌍

Check out our latest research in the International Journal of Epidemiology on the health effects of biomass burning in Peninsular Malaysia. 🌿

Title: Short-term associations of PM10 attributed to biomass burning with respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions in Peninsular Malaysia

Key Takeaways:

Increased Respiratory Risks: PM10 from biomass burning significantly raises the risk of respiratory hospital admissions.
Immediate Effects: The impact is more immediate compared to non-biomass sources.
Vulnerable Groups: Adults aged 15-64 and females are more affected.

Dive into the full article to explore how biomass burning affects public health in Southeast Asia. 🌿

🔗 https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/53/4/dyae102/7726709

AbstractBackground. Biomass burning (BB) is a major source of air pollution and particulate matter (PM) in Southeast Asia. However, the health effects of P