2023 Fukushima Medical University (FMU) International Symposium
on the Fukushima Health Management Survey, to be held on Mar. 4, 2023
1. Purpose
FMU’s Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey (hereinafter, "the Center") invites you to join us for "Thinking Together about Health, Life, and our Future in Fukushima," a symposium for domestic and international participants to share new information from the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS), to advance scientific knowledge by discussing survey results with local and global experts, and to utilize the results to maintain and improve the health of prefectural residents.
2. Outline
This fifth symposium features 10 presenters from Japan and overseas.
Session 1 will summarize 10 years of FHMS findings about individual external radiation doses and data from the Comprehensive Health Check, the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, and the Pregnancy and Birth Survey. These findings were peer-reviewed by the Japan Epidemiological Association and published in their Special Issue on Fukushima - A Decade After the Great East Japan Earthquake; now, we aim to make these findings accessible to a broader audience.
Session 2 will address the communication of scientific facts, with perspectives from subject matter experts and stakeholders. Specifically, how can experts better communicate scientific information, and what can non-scientists do to better understand and utilize that information?
Dr. KAMIYA Kenji, Executive Director of the Center, will open the symposium with his ‘Overview of this year’s results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey,’ covering all 5 surveys within the FHMS.
In Session 1, "Weaving Scientific Evidence into our Thoughts on Health," Dr. Cari KITAHARA (National Cancer Institute, USA) will give a keynote lecture from an epidemiological perspective on various risk factors for cancer: not just radiation, but also many others. In addition, FMU faculty members will present the latest findings gained from the FHMS, including information published in the Journal of Epidemiology’s Special Issue on Fukushima.
In Session 2, "Health Communication: Valuing Facts and Feelings for our Future," Dr. Rima RUDD (Harvard University) will give a keynote lecture on health literacy, followed by presentations by Mr. SATOH Tsutomu (Naraha Town Council) and FMU faculty members regarding efforts and activities to enhance resilience and health literacy in Fukushima. Dr. SEKIYA Naoya (University of Tokyo) will address social issues after the Fukushima nuclear accident, including the impact of harmful rumors. This symposium has nominal support from Fukushima Prefecture, the Ministry of the Environment, other related ministries, and organizations and research institutes in and outside the prefecture. Fukushima Governor UCHIBORI Masao will give congratulatory remarks.
３. Organizer
Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University
４. Date and Venue
Saturday, March 4, 2023 9:00-16:30 JST
Multipurpose Hall, Fukushima Ekimae Campus, Fukushima Medical University (10-6 Sakae-machi, Fukushima City）
５. Intended audience
Residents of Fukushima Prefecture, health care workers, students, administrative officers, and other interested persons. The symposium is open to all.
６． Format
Hybrid of on-site* and online (Zoom) participation
Languages: Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation.
A video recording of the symposium will be available later via a streaming service.
*Depending on the COVID-19 situation, the symposium may be held online only.
7．Capacity
Venue seating capacity: 75 (Pre-registration is required. If there are too many applicants, a random selection will be applied.）
Viewing by Zoom: Advance application required for access details.
8. Application for participation
No participation fee is required.
Application deadline: Sunday, February 26
Please click here to apply ↓
【Symposium special website: URL】https://fhms.jp/en/symposium/
Applications can also be sent by fax. Please fill out the required items on the back of the symposium flyer, and send it to (024)581-5457.
9. Program
Opening Session
Opening remarks from the organizer: TAKENOSHITA Seiichi (FMU President)
Congratulatory remarks: UCHIBORI Masao (Governor of Fukushima Prefecture) (planned）
Chair: OHTO Hitoshi (FMU)
Presenter: KAMIYA Kenji (FMU, Hiroshima University)
Overview of this year’s results from the Fukushima Health Management Survey
Session １ Weaving Scientific Evidence into our Thoughts on Health
Chair: OHIRA Tetsuya (FMU)
ISHIKAWA Tetsuo (FMU)
Keynote lecturer： Cari M. KITAHARA (National Cancer Institute, USA) (remote)
Presenter： SHIMURA Hiroki (FMU)
Presenter： SHIMABUKURO Michio (FMU)
Presenter： MAEDA Masaharu (FMU)
Presenter： YASUDA Shun (FMU)
Discussion
Session 2 Health Communication: Valuing Facts and Feelings for our Future
Chair: TSUBOKURA Masaharu (FMU)
TAMAKI Tomoaki (FMU)
Keynote lecturer: Rima E. RUDD (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) (remote)
Presenter： GOTO Aya (FMU)
Presenter： SATOH Tsutomu (Naraha Town Council)
Presenter： SEKIYA Naoya（University of Tokyo）
Discussion
Closing Session
Closing remarks: HAZAMA Akihiro (FMU Vice President)
10. Applications for media coverage
We encourage and appreciate coverage of this symposium. Applications will be accepted from the Symposium special website.
The deadline is 12:00 on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
11. COVID-19 countermeasures
We will take basic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing at the venue and droplet precautions. General participants and members of the press are requested to cooperate with prevention measures, such as temperature measurement on admission, the use of masks, and hand sanitization. Safety directives obligate us to decline admission to those with a fever of 37.5℃ or higher or anyone not feeling well. Venue pre-registrants who must be turned away for such reasons will be offered access information for remote participation on Zoom.
[Contact]
Mr. MITSUMA, Ms. GOTO, Ms. ABE
Office of Public Communication and International Cooperation,
Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey,
Fukushima Medical University
TEL:（024）581-5454／FAX:（024）
e-mail：kenkani@fmu.ac.jp
