The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Health Emergency and Disaster in Japan

Tomohiro Ishimaru (), Shoichi Shimizu, Ayaka Teshima, Koki Ibayashi, Mihoko Arikado, Yoko Tsurugi, Seiichiro Tateishi and Makoto Okawara
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Tomohiro Ishimaru: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Shoichi Shimizu: Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Ayaka Teshima: Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Tobacco Control Unit, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Gran Via de l’Hospitalet, 199-203, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
Koki Ibayashi: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Mihoko Arikado: Kitakyushu Public Health Center, Kitakyushu City, Kitakyushu 802-8560, Japan
Yoko Tsurugi: Kikuchi Public Health Center, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kikuchi 861-1331, Japan
Seiichiro Tateishi: Disaster Occupational Health Center, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Makoto Okawara: Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of health emergency and disaster risk management (EDRM) to reduce the risks and impacts of infectious disease outbreaks. We investigated Japan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on changes made to the current health EDRM. Findings from document analysis and semi-structured interviews with six experts were integrated to provide insights into Japan’s health EDRM to improve outcomes in future health emergencies. Relevant information was extracted from COVID-19 policy documents published by the Japanese government, and the interviews validated and expanded on the data already collected. Challenges faced in the country’s response to COVID-19 and the changes made to the health EDRM framework are summarised. Findings were grouped into human resource topics (including essential health EDRM positions and safety of personnel), health service delivery topics (including public health and hospital primary care services), and logistical topics (including vaccination, personal protective equipment, patient transport, and telecommunications). These responses to the pandemic could serve as an example of good practice for other countries developing strategies for future health emergencies and disasters.

Keywords: COVID-19; health emergency and disaster risk management; human resources; health service delivery; logistics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (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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