Structure of medical care provision for allergic diseases and administrative initiatives of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Abstract

Japan's healthcare system for allergic diseases has been developed based on the Basic Act on Measures against Allergic Diseases, enacted in 2014, and the Basic Guidelines for the Promotion of Measures against Allergic Diseases, issued in 2017. These efforts have been further guided by the Report of the Study Group on the Ideal Structure of the Medical Care System for Allergic Diseases, also issued in 2017. Guided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, efforts have focused on enhancing collaboration between national core hospitals and Prefectural Core Hospitals for Allergic Diseases, standardizing care, and improving quality. These initiatives have made notable progress in the past decade. However, recent studies have pointed to emerging challenges, including shifts in disease patterns, particularly in food allergies, and uneven access to specialized care across regions. Continued coordination among government agencies, local authorities, medical institutions, and patients is vital to ensure that all individuals with allergic diseases receive equitable, high-quality care, regardless of their location or age group.