Health screening system to ensure children's health and development in Japan

• Published in: Pediatrics international 2021-08, Vol.63 (8), p.869-879
• Main Authors: Tomokawa, Sachi, Miyake, Kimihiro, Takahashi, Kenzo, Tomokawa, Aya, Kokudo, Shohei, Ueno, Marie, Kigawa, Mika, Asakura, Takashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: child; Children; Children & youth; Childrens health; Developing countries; growth and development; Japan; LDCs; mass screening; Medical personnel; Medical screening; Pediatrics; Training
• ISSN: 1328-8067; 1442-200X
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.14733

Background The establishment of health screening systems for children is important, however, such systems are not always well‐established in developing countries. This study aimed to improve child health screening systems in developing countries by analyzing the factors that contribute to enabling continuous and proper screenings at various governmental levels in Japan. Methods We reviewed the history of child health and development screening systems in Japan and examined factors that enabled their regular and nationwide implementation. Results We identified the six enabling factors: (i) the existence of relevant laws and regulations in health and education systems for health checkups, (ii) mandated and detailed conditions for health checkups within both school and community health, (iii) the provision of guidelines and manuals for health checkups, (iv) a sufficient number of professionals to carry out the health checkups, (v) clear criteria for evaluating and interpreting the checkup results, and (vi) understanding among teachers, children, and guardians of the importance of health checkups. Conclusion We proposed the following six requirements to the governments in developing countries for establishing their own health screening programs: (i) a clear description of the need for regular and continuous health checkups in the relevant laws, regulations, and policies, (ii) mandate as essential activity and detailed requirements of the screening activities, (iii) provision of relevant manuals for health workers and teachers, (iv) provision of enough well‐trained professionals and a training system, (v) studying growth and development curves for children, and (vi) promoting understanding among stakeholders about the importance of health checkups.