Environmental and occupational health practice最新文献

{"title":"Changes in the proportion of suicides attributed to work-related problems before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.","authors":"Hisashi Eguchi, Akinori Nakata","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0023","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To examine changes in suicides attributed to work-related problems in Japan before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with attention to sex differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Monthly suicide data from January 2017 to February 2026 were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The study period was divided into four phases: pre-emergency period (January 2017-March 2020), COVID-19 period (April 2020-December 2021), COVID-19 period after classification change (January 2022-May 2023), and post-COVID-19 period (June 2023-February 2026). Negative binomial regression models including the logarithm of monthly total suicides as an offset were used to examine the proportion of suicides attributed to work-related problems among all suicides according to period and sex. Supplementary analyses examined within-period temporal trends.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the study period, 188,178 suicides were recorded, including 20,822 recorded as involving work-related problems. In the offset model, among men, the proportion of suicides attributed to work-related problems was lower during the COVID-19 period than during the pre-emergency period (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.920; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.859-0.986), but higher during the COVID-19 period after classification change (IRR, 1.389; 95% CI, 1.297-1.486) and the post-COVID-19 period (IRR, 1.261; 95% CI, 1.184-1.342). The relative change was more positive among women during the COVID-19 period and the post-COVID-19 period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Work-related problems were more frequently represented in suicide statistics after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, although part of the increase after 2022 may reflect the revision of official classification.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612914/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recommendation of occupational exposure limits (2026-2027).","authors":"","doi":"10.1539/eohp.ROEL2026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1539/eohp.ROEL2026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) recommends the Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) as reference values for preventing adverse health effects on workers caused by occupational exposure to chemical substances, continuous or intermittent noise, impulsive or impact noise, heat stress, cold stress, whole-body vibration, hand-arm vibration and time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields and ultraviolet and ionizing radiation.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"ROEL2026"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612922/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149067011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Indonesian perspectives in a healthcare focus group discussion on initiating health checkups for returning migrant workers: a preliminary report.","authors":"Natasha Dianasari Devana, Analia Levina, Aditia Rizka Rahadi, Nuri Purwito Adi, Muchtaruddin Mansyur, Leli Hesti Indriyati, Shigeyuki Kajiki, Naw Awn J-P, Masamitsu Eitoku","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0014","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Indonesian migrant workers face significant occupational health risks abroad, yet Indonesia currently lacks a comprehensive, continuous post-employment health-monitoring framework, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment of work-related diseases for returning migrant workers. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of Indonesian healthcare stakeholders regarding the necessity, feasibility, and strategic steps of implementing Japan's Overseas Health Checkup Initiative (OHCI) for returning migrant workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative phenomenology study was conducted using focus group discussions to explore participants' perceptions and expectations of implementing OHCI in their workplace. Five discussion groups were composed to reflect perceived variations in attitudes to OHCI, with consideration to account differences in professional and educational background, geographical setting, and class of health facility. The discussions were conducted either in hospital meeting rooms or via an online platform. Each session was facilitated by a moderator and supported by a note-taker. For in-person sessions, participants were seated in a round-table arrangement to encourage open discussion and interaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings demonstrated a strong consensus among all stakeholders on the urgent need to implement the OHCI to safeguard returning migrant workers' health. Key challenges identified included establishing a standardized cross-border data-sharing mechanism, defining clear OHCI protocols, and securing financial sustainability. The OHCI is viewed as a critical policy intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Successful initiation of the OHCI in Indonesia requires immediate collaboration between sectors to establish the necessary regulatory, technical, and financial frameworks, potentially by adapting international models of continuous health surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612920/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational health services in Thailand: system, regulation, and the role of overseas health checkup initiatives.","authors":"Ueampohn Poonkla, Thanawat Rattanawitoon, Naw Awn J-P, Somkiat Siriruttanapruk","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0003","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Occupational health services (OHS) are essential components of public health systems, aiming to prevent work-related diseases, promote safe working environments, and protect workers' health. Although OHS have been implemented in Thailand, the incidence of occupational health-related fatalities remains high. This study aimed to assess the current status of occupational health service provision for both domestic and migrant workers in Thailand, including the relevant regulatory frameworks and policy arrangements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative policy and systems review was conducted in 2025 to examine the provision of occupational health services in Thailand, the national healthcare system, and relevant laws, policies, and regulations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that Thailand has legislation mandating health examinations for domestically employed workers exposed to occupational risk factors, regulated by the Ministry of Labour, alongside standards for healthcare facilities delivering occupational health services established by the Ministry of Public Health. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in data integration and, importantly, the absence of a comprehensive occupational health care framework for Thai workers employed overseas.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Strengthening policy coherence between the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Public Health, together with the establishment of a national occupational safety and health institute, is recommended to support the sustainable development of occupational health services. In addition, international initiatives such as health checkup programs for Thai overseas workers provide a valuable platform for cross-border occupational health surveillance and continuity of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of combinations of perceived workplace disagreement and friendliness with long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders among Japanese employees: a one-year prospective cohort study using items from the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire.","authors":"Akiomi Inoue, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Yuko Odagiri, Akihito Shimazu, Norito Kawakami, Akizumi Tsutsumi","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0010","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ), items A12-A14 assess interpersonal conflict in the workplace. A12 (<i>disagreement</i>) and A14 (<i>friendliness</i>) are typically summed, which implicitly assumes that disagreement is adverse. However, employees who perceive high disagreement in a friendly work environment may be able to voice differing opinions without concern, a pattern consistent with psychological safety, and may form a low-risk group overlooked by summed-score approaches. This study investigated how combinations of perceived disagreement and friendliness are associated with long-term sickness absence (LTSA) due to mental disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A baseline survey using the BJSQ was conducted among 14,687 employees of a financial services company without LTSA in the previous three years. LTSA and diagnoses during one-year follow-up were obtained from personnel records. Participants were classified into four groups based on positive/negative responses to A12 and A14: high-disagreement and high-friendliness (HD+HF), high-disagreement and low-friendliness (HD+LF), low-disagreement and high-friendliness (LD+HF), and low-disagreement and low-friendliness (LD+LF). Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LTSA due to mental disorders, using the HD+LF group as reference. Interaction between disagreement and friendliness was also tested.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After adjusting for potential confounders, HRs were significantly lower for both the HD+HF group (HR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.07-0.44, <i>p</i><.001) and the LD+HF group (HR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.14-0.50, <i>p</i><.001), with overlapping CIs. The interaction was marginally significant but imprecise (HR=4.89, 95% CI: 0.90-26.6, <i>p</i>=.066).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Perceived friendliness in the workplace remained protective against LTSA due to mental disorders, even with disagreement.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612917/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparative review of health care and occupational health systems across selected Asian countries.","authors":"Leli Hesti Indriyati, Masamitsu Eitoku, Naw Awn J-P, Taro Tamura, Narufumi Suganuma","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2025-0051","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2025-0051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Japan increasingly relies on foreign workers from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Nepal to address domestic labor shortages. This article describes and evaluates the present state of health services, insurance frameworks, workers' compensation, and occupational health systems across these five nations, and assesses their readiness to implement standardized overseas health check-ups comparable to Japanese requirements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a scoping comparative review examining national health system architecture, occupational health governance, regulatory frameworks, worker compensation mechanisms, and health workforce trends. Evidence was synthesized from peer-reviewed literature and official legal and policy documents.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the legal maturity, institutional capacity, and operational implementation of occupational health examination systems. Overseas health check-ups demonstrated the greatest feasibility in Thailand, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines exhibiting moderate readiness subject to targeted regulatory enhancements. Nepal requires considerable capacity-building and legislative reform prior to implementation. These disparities underscore the imperative for accelerated Association of Southeast Asian Nations -level harmonization to advance shared standards and structured technical cooperation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Thailand demonstrated the highest level of systemic preparedness, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia. The Philippines occupies an intermediate position, while Nepal remains at a nascent stage of development. These findings constitute preliminary comparative evidence to inform policy deliberations by the Government of Japan regarding overseas occupational health check-ups for returning migrant workers, subject to policy decisions and intergovernmental collaboration.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612909/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Data analysis in occupational health practice: lessons from experience.","authors":"You Hwi Song, Ken Kurisu","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0024","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0024","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anxiety and depression among Moroccan radiographers working in radiotherapy.","authors":"Jaouad Elkhalladi, Fatima Bouchareb, Fatima Zahra Aboukde, Fatima Zahra Outalmit, Jamal Tikouk, Abdelaaziz Bounabe, Mariam Akorzi, Mohamed El Fahssi, Hanane El Ghazouani, Ahmed Ouaamr, Mohammed Bouchekourte","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0015","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Radiographers working in specialized cancer treatment services are at high risk of psychiatric disorders because of the nature of their work and the types of patients receiving treatment there. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among radiographers working in radiotherapy centers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The was a cross-sectional quantitative study of 55 radiographers working in four radiotherapy centers in Morocco between February and March 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>26% of radiographers had anxiety and 40% had depression. According to the findings, the factors that contribute the most to the emergence of anxiety are associated with sex, place of residence, physical activity, interpersonal relationships, and regret in choice of profession; for depression, the only factor found was radioprotection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study revealed anxiety and depression among radiographers working in radiotherapy centers. Further studies are recommended to investigate causality and to examine additional factors that may cause anxiety and depression.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rebuilding international networks through participatory action-oriented training after COVID-19: insights from an action research study.","authors":"Etsuko Yoshikawa, Wanpen Songkham, Yeon-Ha Kim, Ton That Khai, Toyoki Nakao, Nguyen Phuong Toai, Shigeharu Nakachi, Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Kazutaka Kogi","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0001","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2026-0001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) programs are pivotal in developing facilitators for workplace environment improvement. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted long-standing international training programs, requiring substantial reconstruction. This study examined the reconstruction of an international PAOT facilitator training program in the post-COVID-19 context to clarify the requirements for effective facilitator training and associated learning outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An action research design consisting of two iterative cycles of action and reflection was employed. Organizers (n=10), participants (n=79), and researchers (n=9) were involved, with partial overlap between organizers and researchers. Data sources included participants' written reports from the second training, reflection meetings, steering committee documents, and supplementary training materials. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive analytic approach with triangulation across sources. Reflections on the first post-pandemic training informed the redesign and implementation of the second training.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key challenges identified after the first training included limited participant interaction, insufficient experiential learning in the introductory phase, and weakened international training networks. These reflections led to the reconstruction of a participatory, experience-based PAOT model grounded in iterative action research cycles. Participants in the revised program reported enhanced experiential learning, a clearer understanding of facilitation roles, broadened occupational health perspectives, and strengthened international and intergenerational learning networks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Systematic reflection and experiential redesign can effectively reconstruct facilitator training in disrupted contexts. The findings clarify key requirements for effective facilitator development and demonstrate the value of action research in developing context-responsive training programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612921/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149066941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overseas health checkup initiatives: perspectives on Vietnam.","authors":"Leli Hesti Indriyati, Toru Yoshikawa, Masamitsu Eitoku","doi":"10.1539/eohp.2025-0038","DOIUrl":"10.1539/eohp.2025-0038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe Vietnam's occupational health and healthcare systems and evaluate the feasibility of standardized medical examinations for workers, aligned with Japanese practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review was conducted using official reports, national health statistics, legislative documents and other literature related to Vietnam's healthcare and occupational safety and health (OSH) systems. Feasibility was assessed across governance, workforce, infrastructure, financing, and quality assurance domains.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vietnam has established a mixed public-private healthcare model with a four-tiered system, expanded social health insurance, and implemented hospital quality management. Occupational health is governed by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and the Ministry of Health, supported by agencies such as the Vietnam Health Environment Management Agency and the National Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health. The monitoring activities are supplemented by the establishment of provincial Centers of Disease Control in each of Vietnam's 63 provinces. Despite notable strengths, such as the existing preventive medicine infrastructure, significant disparities in implementation remain across sectors and provinces. While preventive medicine physicians receive occupational health training, no formal residency programs for occupational medicine specialists currently exist.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vietnam's health and OSH system provides a foundation for standardized worker health examinations. Adopting a model similar to Japan could improve early detection of occupational diseases, among both domestic and returning migrant workers. Strict adherence to the privacy measures might allow for the cross-border exchange of medical data between Vietnam and Japan.</p>","PeriodicalId":520443,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and occupational health practice","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612916/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149067023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}