Mapping the Research Landscape of Disaster-Related Deaths and Health Effects in Japan: A Scoping Review
Creators: name: Harada, Nahoko
name: Makishi, Mari
name: Nomura, Shuhei
name: Koda, Masahide
name: TOMOTAKI, Ai
name: Fujimoto, Kanako
Publisher: name: OSF Registries
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Medicine and Health Sciences
subject: Japan
subject: Medicine and Health Sciences
subject: Natural Disaster
subject: Scoping Review

description: In Japan, the term "disaster-related deaths" has been primarily used to determine eligibility for disaster condolence money, rather than as a strict medical term. However, its widespread use has led to a unique situation where health and medical professionals may need to exercise caution when applying this definition in their research on disaster-related health effects. This study does not aim to negate the existing concept of disaster-related deaths or to overturn the decisions made regarding eligibility for disaster condolence money. Instead, it seeks to provide a more scientifically rigorous approach for future research in the field of health sciences when discussing post-disaster health effects in Japan.

 Japan is a developed nation with a super-aging population and a high frequency of natural hazards, making it a unique case study for examining the health consequences of disasters. The complex interplay of factors, including the country's healthcare infrastructure, geographical features, and institutional arrangements, influences the health outcomes following a disaster. While including data from other regions like Southeast Asia may augment the available information, the contextual differences pose challenges for interpretation. Therefore, it is imperative to first elucidate the current situation in Japan.

 From a public health perspective, defining the scope of disaster-related deaths is crucial. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) defines a disaster not merely as the occurrence of a hazardous event like a natural disaster, but rather a situation where the damage caused by the hazard exceeds the local coping capacity, necessitating external support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employs the term "disaster-related deaths" as an overarching concept that encompasses both direct and indirect deaths.

 In the Japanese context, the term "disaster-related deaths" can be interpreted as "secondary health damage caused by the disaster." This study focuses on the health effects that contribute to disaster-related deaths, with an emphasis on identifying preventable or mitigable secondary health damage caused by disasters. By adopting a more scientific approach, this research aims to provide a foundation for future studies in the field of health sciences to better understand and address the health impacts of disasters in Japan.

 Furthermore, this study aims to ascertain the alignment of existing research with the World Health Organization's (WHO) disaster related references and to map the specific content of the relevant studies. This analysis will help identify the types of research conducted in Japan and highlight any research gaps that need to be addressed.

 Considering the above, this study aims to clarify the epidemiological research on disaster-related deaths, associated diseases, and their risk factors while maintaining consistency with the case studies and materials provided by the Cabinet Office. The findings of this scoping review will contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies for mitigating the health impacts of disasters in Japan and inform future research directions in this critical area of public health. By adopting a more scientifically rigorous approach, this study seeks to promote a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the health effects of disasters in Japan, ultimately leading to better-informed policies and interventions to protect the health and well-being of those affected by disasters.