2023 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 234-241
On the initiation of Health Japan 21 (Third Edition), discussions were conducted across multiple domains, with a focus on environmental improvements, and an analysis of the current situation and future developments in the fields of nutrition and dietary habits, physical activity, and tobacco control. A common framework for domestic and overseas policy consolidation, referred to as the “intervention ladder,” was used to categorize interventions according to their content and the level of their impact. The current state of environmental improvements in Japan compared to international standards showed that there are numerous efforts in Japan categorized as having a low impact on the intervention ladder compared to those abroad, indicating that efforts are insufficient. Future actions were highlighted in all three domains, emphasizing collaboration with multiple sectors and departments, including private enterprises. Challenges related to evaluation were also identified, with the need for academic involvement in the establishment of evaluation mechanisms. Internationally, there were examples of comprehensive and systematic approaches to environmental improvements, such as WHO’s MPOWER framework for tobacco control, and several international evaluation mechanisms for policy assessments. In Health Japan 21 (Third Edition), achieving more effective initiatives required the development of logic models that clearly outline the pathways to reach the goals (outcomes). The Research Board on Environmental Improvement for Health of this academic society is currently progressing in the creation of logic models and action plans by referencing best practices and evidence in all three domains. The discussions presented in this article aim to further the activities of the Research Board on Environmental Improvement for Health and contribute to the enhancement of the quality of the practices for health education and health promotion in various settings as an academic organization.
