The faculty of the Graduate School of Public Health works as an interdisciplinary team in a variety of fields. Here are some of the major projects our faculty members are currently working on.

• Dr. BALOGUN Olukunmi Omobolanle
  Angola Maternal and Child health Handbook project

  A JICA funded impact evaluation project to assess the effectiveness of distribution and use of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook on maternity and child health service utilisation and other maternal and child health outcomes
  
   BALOGUN Olukunmi Omobolanle, Junior Associate Professor, Interdisplinary sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/olukunmibalogun
  
  Keywords: Maternal health, Child health, IOT

• Dr. BALOGUN Olukunmi Omobolanle
  Internet of Things (IOT) for improving women's health

  A systematic review to evaluate evidence on effectiveness on the use of different forms of IoT for improving women’s health outcomes.
  
  BALOGUN Olukunmi Omobolanle, Junior Associate Professor, Interdisplinary sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/olukunmibalogun
  
  Keywords: Maternal health, Child health
  

• Dr. LEE Mihye
  Evaluates an association between greenness and adverse birth outcomes

  Temperature and Allergic Rhinitis
  
  LEE Mihye, Associate Professor, Environmental health
  https://researchmap.jp/mlee
  
  Keywords: Air pollution, climate change, greenness
  

• Dr. LEE Mihye
  Temperature and Allergic Rhinitis

  The Impact of Increasing Ambient Temperature on Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
  
   LEE Mihye, Associate Professor, Environmental health
  https://researchmap.jp/mlee
  
  Keywords: Air pollution, climate change, greenness

• Dr. LEE Mihye
  A systematic review on air pollution and dementia

   LEE Mihye, Associate Professor, Environmental health
  https://researchmap.jp/mlee
  
  Keywords: Air pollution, climate change, greenness

• Dr. NISHI Nobuo
  Exploratory panel data analysis for multi-sectoral approach to improve population health

  Supported by KAKENHI
  
  都道府県別社会生活統計指標のパネルデータを用いた指標間の網羅的関連探索手法の開発
  基盤研究(C)（一般）（令和６年度～ 令和８年度） NISHI Nobuo, Professor, Interdisplinary sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/read0083118
  
  Keyword: System thinking

• Dr. MATSUMOTO-TAKAHASHI Emilie Louise Akiko
  Impact of climate change and deforestation on the distribution of infectious disease
  (malaria, schistosomiasis, etc.)

  Using Earth observation satellite data and epidemiological data, we are analyzing the impact of climate change on the distribution of infectious diseases.
  
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10621094/pdf/41182_2023_Article_554.pdf
  
  MATSUMOTO-TAKAHASHI Emilie Louise Akiko, Junior Associate Professor, Global health sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/emilie
  
  Keywords:
  1. Impact of climate change and deforestation on the distribution of infectious disease (malaria, schistosomiasis, etc.)

  2. Research on poverty eradication contributing to the fight against parasitic infections among ethnic minorities in southern Laos

• Dr. MATSUMOTO-TAKAHASHI Emilie Louise Akiko
  Research on poverty eradication contributing to the fight against parasitic infections among ethnic minorities in southern Laos

  In addition to ethnic disparities, malaria, intestinal parasitosis, and other parasitic infections are prevalent in southern Laos, making poverty eradication more difficult. Furthermore, the possibility that climate change and deforestation may affect the distribution of parasitic infections requires a reassessment of the issue as a global rather than a local problem.
  Therefore, this study will use information obtained from field surveys and earth observation satellites to identify risk factors for malaria and intestinal parasitic disease transmission among ethnic minorities in southern Laos. Furthermore, we will analyze whether climate change and deforestation are affecting parasitic infections. In other words, this will be a groundbreaking study that approaches global poverty issues and climate change adaptation from the perspective of infectious disease control.
  https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-23K11587
  
  MATSUMOTO-TAKAHASHI Emilie Louise Akiko, Junior Associate Professor, Global health sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/emilie
  
  Keywords:
  1. Impact of climate change and deforestation on the distribution of infectious disease (malaria, schistosomiasis, etc.)

  2. Research on poverty eradication contributing to the fight against parasitic infections among ethnic minorities in southern Laos

• Dr. OHDE Sachiko
  Health technology assessment on cardiovascular events

  Ministry of Health and Welfare
  
  OHDE Sachiko, Professor, Epidemiology
  https://researchmap.jp/saohde
  
  Keywords: chronic disease epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, optimal interval for testing and screening, cost effectiveness analysis

• Dr. OHDE Sachiko
  Construction of a statistical model to predict the improvement of patient's QOL by invasive treatment
  -A nationwide survey

  Ministry of Education
  
  OHDE Sachiko, Professor, Epidemiology
  https://researchmap.jp/saohde
  
  Keywords: chronic disease epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, optimal interval for testing and screening, cost effectiveness analysis

• Dr. OHDE Sachiko
  Nationwide residency training competency and assessment

  Ministry of Health and Welfare
  
   OHDE Sachiko, Professor, Epidemiology
  https://researchmap.jp/saohde
  
  
  Keywords: chronic disease epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, optimal interval for testing and screening, cost effectiveness analysis

• Dr. OHNISHI Kazunari
  Development of Health Forecasts Based on Air Pollutants Using a Chemical Transport Model
  

  Abstract: This study aims to develop health forecasts for the general population by utilizing a chemical transport model to analyze air pollutants, including Asian dust and other atmospheric pollutants considering climate change. The ultimate goal of this research is to contribute to the well-being of the general population through accurate health predictions based on environmental data.
  (supported by KAKENHI, Represent Kazunari Onishi)
  
  Related researches
  ・Transboundary Bioaerosols in East Asia: Dispersion, Deposition, and Biological Impact on Mainland Japan
  (supported by KAKENHI, representing Teruya Maki)
  
  ・「Impact of mineral dust particles on East Asia air quality and public health」
  (supported by KAKENHI, representing Ching Ping Pui)
  Keywords: Asian dust, Aerosol numerical model
  
  ・「Application of Arid Region (Asian dust) Research for Health Care and Air Quality Improvement: Investigating the Health Impacts of Airborne Particulate Matter, Primarily Asian dust, and Exploring Elements for Developing a Prediction Model.」
  (Collaborative research by DAIKIN, Tottori University, and St.Luke’s International University)
  
  Keywords: Health forecast, Climate Change, Air pollution, cross-border air pollution, pollen, Asian dust
  
  
  OHNISHI Kazunari, Associate Professor, Environmental Health
  https://researchmap.jp/issey?lang=en

• Dr. OHNISHI Kazunari
  Health Impacts of Dust, Climate, and Sanitation on People Living in Mongolia's Arid Regions

  We are evaluating the health impacts of air pollution and yellow dust on residents of Mongolia.
  This study evaluates the health impacts of air pollution and yellow dust on residents of Mongolia. The research is funded by the Tottori University Arid Land Research Center.
  
  Keywords: Asian dust, Masks, One Health, Climate Change
  OHNISHI Kazunari, Associate Professor, Environmental Health
  https://researchmap.jp/issey?lang=en

• Dr. OHNISHI Kazunari
  Development of an Air Pollution Assessment System Using Satellite Data and Regional Chemical Transport Models, and the Establishment of a New Center for Air Pollution and Indoor Air Pollution Countermeasures
  

  In response to worsening air pollution in Kyrgyzstan, this research aims to transfer Japanese technologies for air pollution forecasting and monitoring to contribute to the health of the Kyrgyz population. This project is funded by SATREPS (JICA, JST).
  
  Keywords: Air pollution, indoor pollution, Climate Change, SATREPS
  
  
  OHNISHI Kazunari, Associate Professor, Environmental Health
  https://researchmap.jp/issey?lang=en

• Dr. OHNISHI Kazunari
  Validation Experiment of Far Infrared Blood Circulation Enhancement Clothing for Promoting Blood Circulation

  Clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of clothing emitting far-infrared rays in promoting blood circulation. This collaborative research is being carried out through industry-academia partnership between Tokoh Reime Co., Ltd. and St. Luke's International University.
  
  Keywords: Far Infrared, Blood Circulation, Treatment gown
  
  OHNISHI Kazunari, Associate Professor, Environmental Health
  https://researchmap.jp/issey?lang=en

• Dr. OHNISHI Kazunari
  The Effectiveness of Masks in Preventing Infection During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  

  I am responsible for research on the effectiveness of masks as part of the JACSIS studies.
  (Supported by Takahiro Tabuchi)
  Keywords: Masks, COVID-19
  
  OHNISHI Kazunari, Associate Professor, Environmental Health
  https://researchmap.jp/issey?lang=en

• Dr. WONG Zoie, S.Y.
  Clinical Natural Language Processing

  I am interesting in investigating innovative AI/NLP approaches for accurately extracting narrative information from hospital notes and relevent health data. My study ClinicalNLP areas includes annotation schema development, transformers models, and user-friendly AI system design and evaluation. Areas include, but are not limited to, patient safety, patient deidentification, epidemic monitoring, renal conditions diagnosis and prognosis. I am currently serving as a Guest Editor of a Collection on NLP in Clinical Medicine in npj Digital Medicine.
  https://www.nature.com/collections/fjfiejggae
  
  WONG Zoie, S.Y., Associate Professor, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
  https://researchmap.jp/zoiewong
  
  Keywords: Digital Health, Clinical Natural Language Processing, Patient Safety Informatics, Epidemic Monitoring and Disease Dashboards

• Dr. WONG Zoie, S.Y.
  Epidemic Dashboard

  During the COVID-19 pandemic, my team and I created a public-facing COVID-19 dashboard for Japan (archived 2023). Featuring multi-dimensional data visualization tools, this platform allowed public health authorities, researchers, and the general public to easily understand the evolution of the pandemic and it has served as LIVE case communication tool in Japan since the beginning of the pandemic. At this post pandemic stage, the digital public goods resulted from this disese dashboard project continue to serve the public in different format and for other infectious diseases. Please feel free to get in touch if you wish to know more developments about this study.
  
  WONG Zoie, S.Y., Associate Professor, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
  https://researchmap.jp/zoiewong
  
  Keywords: Digital Health, Clinical Natural Language Processing, Patient Safety Informatics, Epidemic Monitoring and Disease Dashboards

• Dr. WONG Zoie, S.Y.
  UNICEF Technical Experts on Digital Health Interventions

  I am currently the Principal Investigator of a UNICEF funded project on Technical Experts on Digital Health Interventions. Leading a team of academics and industrial partners, their UNICEF project aims to improve children health through ehealth innovations.
  
   WONG Zoie, S.Y., Associate Professor, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
  https://researchmap.jp/zoiewong
  
  Keywords: Digital Health, Clinical Natural Language Processing, Patient Safety Informatics, Epidemic Monitoring and Disease Dashboards

• Dr. YASUOKA Junko
  A New Model of Continuum of Care for Maternal and Child Health Integrating Oral Health
  - Evaluation of its Preventive Effects on Preterm Delivery and Low Birth Weight -

  This study will implement an intervention aimed at a new Continuum of Care that integrates oral health into Maternal and Child Health care in Cambodia, where neonatal mortality is an urgent issue. Furthermore, we will evaluate the impact of the intervention on Maternal and Child Health indicators, particularly the prevention of preterm birth and low birth weight, through a randomized controlled trial. (supported by KAKENHI)
  
   YASUOKA Junko, Professor, Global health sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/jyasuoka/?lang=en
  
  Keywords: Global Health, Community Health Workers, Vector-borne Diseases, Maternal and Child Health, Oral Health

• Dr. YASUOKA Junko
  Exploring the Potential for Village Malaria Workers to Strengthen their Support for Infant and Young Child Nutrition

  This study will examine the effectiveness of community-based health services provided by Village Malaria Workers (Community Health Workers) in improving infant and child nutrition, especially in rural areas in Cambodia. (supported by KAKENHI)
  
   YASUOKA Junko, Professor, Global health sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/jyasuoka/?lang=en
  
  Keywords: Global Health, Community Health Workers, Vector-borne Diseases, Maternal and Child Health, Oral Health

• Dr. YASUOKA Junko
  People's Voice Survey in Japan

  People's Voice Survey, developed by QuEST Network, is a new instrument to integrate
  people’s voices into health system measurement, with a focus on population health needs and expectations as well as people’s perspectives on processes of care and confidence in the health system. We will conduct this survey in Japan, compare findings across countries, and contribute to the academic literature on health system quality.
  
  YASUOKA Junko, Professor, Global health sciences
  https://researchmap.jp/jyasuoka/?lang=en
  
  Keywords: Global Health, Community Health Workers, Vector-borne Diseases, Maternal and Child Health, Oral Health