The Environment Encouraging COVID-19 Response at Public Health Centers and Future Challenges in Japan

Eri Osawa, Hiroko Okuda, Kyoko Koto-Shimada, Akira Shibanuma and Tomoya Saito
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Eri Osawa: Department of International Health and Collaboration, National Institute of Public Health, Saitama 351-0197, Japan
Hiroko Okuda: Department of Health Crisis Management, National Institute of Public Health, Saitama 351-0197, Japan
Kyoko Koto-Shimada: Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Akira Shibanuma: Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Tomoya Saito: Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the implementation of public health measures globally. The health department of local governments has played a critical role in confronting COVID-19. In Japan, public health centers (PHCs) are focal points for COVID-19 response. Understanding the response to COVID-19 in local areas is critical to ensure adequate preparation for future emergencies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify how the COVID-19 operations by PHCs in Japan were managed and facilitated at the beginning of the infection spread, and their future challenges. We designed a case study that included two PHCs with a population of approximately 400,000 in Japan. Semi-structured focus group interviews with public health nurses from these two PHCs were conducted in September and October 2020. The data were analyzed using chronological time-series analysis. The switch to crisis response was encouraged by the business continuity plan. Their operations for the prevention of COVID-19 in the community were facilitated by the existing network. Further, strengthening the knowledge and skill regarding infectious disease control and management skills during infectious disease-related health emergencies were recommended. It is important to ensure that the environment facilitates emergency response and that people-and-community-centered health promotion activities are conducted, during an emergency situation, with more innovative action and leadership.

Keywords: COVID-19; public health center; public health activity; supportive environment; challenge; competency; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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