The Environment Encouraging COVID-19 Response at Public Health Centers and Future Challenges in Japan.

Eri Osawa,Tomoya Saito,Kyoko Koto-Shimada,Hiroko Okuda,Akira Shibanuma

doi:10.3390/ijerph19063343

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the implementation of public health measures globally. The health department of local governments has played a critical role in confronting COVID-19. In Japan, public health centers (PHCs) are focal points for COVID-19 response. Understanding the response to COVID-19 in local areas is critical to ensure adequate preparation for future emergencies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify how the COVID-19 operations by PHCs in Japan were managed and facilitated at the beginning of the infection spread, and their future challenges. We designed a case study that included two PHCs with a population of approximately 400,000 in Japan. Semi-structured focus group interviews with public health nurses from these two PHCs were conducted in September and October 2020. The data were analyzed using chronological time-series analysis. The switch to crisis response was encouraged by the business continuity plan. Their operations for the prevention of COVID-19 in the community were facilitated by the existing network. Further, strengthening the knowledge and skill regarding infectious disease control and management skills during infectious disease-related health emergencies were recommended. It is important to ensure that the environment facilitates emergency response and that people-and-community-centered health promotion activities are conducted, during an emergency situation, with more innovative action and leadership.

Highlights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first identified in China in December2019, rapidly spread to gain pandemic status [1]
Based on the data collected in interviews, time was divided into four periods, from the first COVID-19 case detected worldwide, and in Japan, until September 2020
We will discuss three points of our study results: Using the business continuity plan (BCP) as a switch to emergency response, collaboration with the community as supportive environments for activities in emergency situations, and competencies needed to respond to emerging infectious diseases in the future

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first identified in China in December2019, rapidly spread to gain pandemic status [1]. In Japan, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on 15 January 2020 [2]. Public health centers (PHCs), that are focal points for COVID-19 in communities, have maintained their operation for COVID-19 by changing their systems [3]. As of 2020, there are 469 public health centers established by prefectures and large cities nationwide [4]. The organizational structure of a PHC varies from one local government to another. It consists of an infectious disease control section, a community health section (such as health promotion, mother and child health, mental health etc.) and a community welfare section, as health and human services, and a community hygiene section as environmental health services, with a director of the PHC, who is generally a doctor.

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Discussion

Conclusion