Interactive Communication Tools for Health Education

National Health Promotion System

The lifestyles of the Japanese have been westernized since the 1960’s. Consequently, the incidence of cardiovascular disease has increase; currently accounting for two thirds of the deaths in Japan. The prevention of cardiovascular disease is important for people’s well-being. The current health promotion measure called ‘Healthy Japan 21’ includes the prevention of cardiovascular disease among the national healthcare priorities.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has established a health promotion system where all adults are supposed to undergo a health checkup and receive health education annually. Following a health checkup, people at high risk of cardiovascular disease ― having obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other risk factors ― are urged to take part in a health education session that aims to motivate behavior changes. Health education is usually conducted face to face with trained nurses and dieticians at healthcare facilities. This approach is acceptable in theory, but it does not work out in practice due to limited funds and manpower.