Addresses by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino(2017)

　It is a great pleasure for me to meet all of you from various parts of the world at this opening ceremony of the International Epidemiological Association’s “Twenty-First World Congress of Epidemiology”. I would like to extend my special welcome to participants from abroad. I very much hope you will have a memorable stay in Japan.

　First of all, I would like to express my deep respect to all of you for your continuous efforts on epidemiology over many years.

　The theme of this Congress is “Global / Regional / Local Health and Epidemiology in a Changing World.” People in many areas of the world are experiencing socio-economic and environmental changes, and those changes affect people’s health on various levels. Epidemiology explores the distribution of people’s health conditions and factors related to them, and its role is becoming increasingly important in this changing world.

　I have been involved in the prevention of tuberculosis and the continuum of care for expectant and nursing mothers and children, and thinking about various challenges to our health. For example, a large number of people, especially those with socio-economic difficulties, are suffering from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, which are preventable and treatable. As for maternal and child health, it has been pointed out that problems in social circumstances and the environment, as well as family issues such as maltreatment, are affecting the mental and physical health of children.

　Our experience with tuberculosis in Japan might be an interesting case for you. Japan has succeeded in reducing tuberculosis dramatically in the 20th century. However, tuberculosis patients currently include a sizable proportion of elderly people, which increases the difficulties of treatment. Among younger tuberculosis patients, the proportion of those born overseas has been increasing.

　I believe that it is very important to implement necessary and appropriate measures fully taking into account the reliable and scientific results of epidemiology, accumulated by ethical research that respects the people being studied and their families. Also, I hope that wider public understanding of the trustworthy work carried out by epidemiologists will enable us to cooperate with health professionals, to avoid misleading information, and to better protect our own health.

　I understand that quite an impressive program has been prepared for this Congress including symposiums, lectures, and presentations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have worked so hard on the preparations for the Congress. I hope that this Congress will be a good opportunity to facilitate communication among participants from diverse backgrounds, and that it will be fruitful for all of you.

　In closing my address, I wish you all good health and success, and hope that your work on epidemiology will make a valuable contribution to the well-being of all of us, and of our future generations.