Abstract
A survey was conducted on the health of young people engaged in farming in a suburban district in the southwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. The purpose was to seek a more effective way of implementing a health-control program. The results of the survey revealed several points that have arrested our attention.
First, many of the young people surveyed seemed to be indifferent to their health. It is necessary, therefore, to help them understand the importance of health examination and to encourage them to participate in mass screening projects.
Second, not a few young people were found to suffer more or less from stress diseases. A majority of those who were found to need medical attention are considered to be at risk to adult diseases.
Third, in view of the fact that bed habits have caused many physical disorders in the subjects, primary preventive care is called for before everything else in rural medicine. Periodic checkups are just a secondary level of preventive medicine to detect adult diseases for earlytreatment.
The incidence of adult diseases is linked with such factors as the mode of living, social environment, and many others. Although some of the risk factors are beyond the control of each individual, cigarette smoking, drinking, overnutrition, lack of exercise and other lifestyle-induced health problems are controllable.
We should urge young people to train and build up their bodies, and to shake off unhealthy eating habits. Improvenment of domestic conditions is also an important point in reducing health risks.
