At a time when national health care systems all over the world are increasingly unable to ensure that all citizens have access to adequate health services, co-operatives might be an answer to rising costs of medicine and the commercialisation of medical services where the patient becomes just another commodity. In Japan members of health co-operatives take responsibility for their own health care in collaboration with health care professionals.
Emphasis is on a healthy, happy life for all, with prevention playing a key role.
For example the urine salt check results often push members to change their eating habits. We also check blood pressure, environment check. More recently we have introduced a check to detect early manifestations of colon cancer. Each year 500,000 members undergo these health check-ups, but only those who show problems are referred to a doctor, thus cutting down radically on medical expenses. Education of members is one of seven principles which are followed by co-operatives the world over.