Addressing comprehensive and cross-sectional population health issues

Abstract

Appropriate data collection, assessment, and use with population-based approaches are essential for addressing health problems in communities. The collecting and assessment of various health data promote evidence-based practice. Collaboration of local governments with different academic fields has merits for focusing and assessing the essential causes of health problems in the communities because professionals from these fields have the expertise to conduct follow-up studies on disease incidences and processes. Health data sorted by academic fields should effectively be used to service communities. Using the strengths of the local government and communities in the introduction of their data may promote cross-sectional health, addressing and improving health in the communities.

This article shows a population-based health practice and some steps of the cohort study, and explains the importance of cross-sectional collaboration between local governments and academic fields in collecting data in communities. Some examples for using health data that are common for local governments are also shown. Good relationships among government staff, professionals from different academic fields, and community members are essential for cross-sectional collaboration. The examples in this article are based on the author's experiences in Goto city, Japan, in collaboration with Nagasaki University. The importance of strong relationships, shared objectives and future visions for communities, and mutual support was demonstrated in the examples.