AT LAST — Journal of Epidemiology

Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Epidemiology

Heizo Tanaka

Professor
Department of Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute,
Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

The year 1991, the year of the Gulf conflict, the descent of Communism, the collapse of the country (?) of Union of Sovereign States (formerly USSR), and other earth shaking events, also saw the unfolding of another important event that could have national and international effects. In January, the Japan Epidemiological Association was inaugurated, the culmination of persevering efforts by many, particularly Dr. Kunio Aoki, Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University, and Director of Aichi Prefectural Cancer Center. The significance of this historic event is that it symbolized a long overdue fulfillment to correct an imperfection or deficiency perceived by researchers in Japan. The absence of an association of researchers in epidemiology is tanta-mount to having a surgeon attempt surgery with a dull scalpel.

While basic medicine pursues studies of the universal biological phenomenon of life on a micro-level, using biological specimens, including, but not limited to human; and clinical medicine, on the other hand, bases its focus on the process of disease and its results in an individual; in contrast, epidemiology focuses on human groups, individuals, and ecosystems, efforts in elucidating relationships to disease of an individual's characteristics being an example. Instead of the effects or results of disease, epidemiology examines origins and causes of disease and its association to disease prevention, disease treatment, and health promotion.

Research societies which, by nature of their research discipline, have a common relationship to epidemiology are the Japanese Society for Hygiene, Association of Industrial Health, and Society of Public Health. The Japanese Society for Hygiene makes environmental health its main field of study with the experimental laboratory as its primary research site, while the Association of Industrial Health uses the workplace as its research site, and the Society of Public Health the community with practical disease prevention activities. Epidemiology is a central support of research, that which forms the foundation of these research societies. It plays an indispensable and major role in the formation of the methodology of research. Therefore, without a robust Epidemiological Association to nurture the development and growth of these societies which have applied science as a distinctive core, the result would be a stunting.

Epidemiologists in the Japanese Association for Cerebro-cardiovascular Disease Control, the Japan Cancer Epidemiology Association, and others, have performed several notable, detailed studies into disease processes relating to circulatory diseases, cancer, intractable diseases, etc. If, for example, however, as a result of independent efforts the reduction in incidence and death rates for stroke and stomach cancer occurred, but results in increases in heart disease and colo-rectal cancer, this would be far from satisfactory. The need for avoidance of similar enigmatic pitfalls is obvious, and if man is to achieve healthy longevity, a recently introduced concept of total health, that views health and disease from a comprehensive perspective, is extremely valuable. The practical realization of this demands that epidemiologists of all disciplines meet for interactive exchange of information and cooperative pursuit of not only detailed studies, but comprehensive studies of the major health problems which face us today.

The clamor for liberalization of the agricultural markets, and internationalization by Japan in all areas has been resounding with increasing intensity, and the field of epidemiology is no exception. The International Epidemiological Association, a W.H.O. affiliate, in a mission to
accomplish representation in different world regions, has established epidemiological associations in several countries. However no association existed in this world-class country of Japan, an obvious major player in science as well as economics, a long absence which evoked widespread international criticism, much of which is justified, in this scientific arena, and this contention had been intensifying.

The Journal of Epidemiology intends to meet this call for internationalization. It will be the only English language professional journal published in Japan in the field of public health and hygiene. Several outstanding and recognized epidemiologists have been asked to grace the editorial board of this journal. We value all counsel and advice from scientific contributors to the field of epidemiology in Japan. The state of health of this Journal reflects the development of the Japan Epidemiological Association itself. As one representing the editorial board of the Journal of Epidemiology, I warmly invite association members, international researchers and colleagues in all areas of epidemiology to submit contribution for publication.

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /><figcaption>Heizo Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.</figcaption></figure>