In the second half of the 20th century Japan made remarkable gains in life expectancy. To this day Japan remains one of the healthiest and most equal societies in the world, despite the recent economic slowdown. Health in Japan brings together the research and broader perspectives of Japan’s leading social epidemiologists in English for the first time. The book offers a comprehensive examination of the country’s transitions to an ageing yet healthy society. Japan’s Covid-19 pandemic experience strengthens this understanding. Focusing on the wider determinants of well-being, health and disease, this book is a must-read for any public health professional, epidemiologist, student or researcher with an interest in Japanese society, culture, and healthcare, and it is accessible to the non-specialist reader.

In this 90-minute seminar and book launch, two prominent speakers will reflect on Japan’s success in population health, linking social organisation to the health issues which are so important for Japan and many other countries. Professor Richard Wilkinson will discuss the role of socioeconomic equality in health and wellbeing, and Professor Gill Livingston will discuss the social conditions necessary for wellbeing in old age, regardless of health status.

Health in Japan: Social Epidemiology of Japan since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, edited by Professor Eric Brunner, Dr Noriko Cable, and Professor Hiroyasu Iso, is published by Oxford University Press. It is available for purchase via this link. A discount code for 30% will be provided to attendees of this event.

Date: Monday 23 November 2020

UK Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm (GMT)
Japan Time: 9:00pm-10:00pm (GMT+9)

About the contributors

Professor Richard Wilkinson is Professor Emeritus of Social Epidemiology at the University of Nottingham Medical School. He has been published extensively, and his notable works include The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better (2009) and The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-Being (2019), co-authored with Professor Kate Pickett. He is also Honorary Professor at University College London and Visiting Professor at the University of York.

Professor Gill Livingston is Professor of Psychiatry of Older People at University College London. She leads the Lancet Standing Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care, launched in 2017. She is also and Deputy Director of the Division of Psychiatry and Head of Research Department of Mental Health of Older People at UCL, and consultant psychiatrist at Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Eric Brunner (Chair) is Professor of Social and Biological Epidemiology at University College London. He is Co-Editor of Health in Japan: Social Epidemiology of Japan since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (2020).

Dr Noriko Cable is Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology & Public Health at University College London. She is Co-Editor of Health in Japan: Social Epidemiology of Japan since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (2020).

Professor Hiroyasu Iso is Professor of Public Health at Osaka University. He is Co-Editor of Health in Japan: Social Epidemiology of Japan since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics (2020).

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