A paper by Professor Jun Kobayashi of the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine calling for urgent strengthening of school health in the Asia-Pacific region was published in the international journal of the Japanese Society of Pediatrics.This paper summarizes the results of the "Post-Corona Society Realization Research Project" promoted by Ryukyu University. Professor Kobayashi is based on this paper at the International Conference on Adolescent Health scheduled to be held by the WHO (World Health Organization) Western Pacific Regional Office. To make a suggestion.
According to Ryukyu University, islands in the Asia-Pacific region, including Okinawa Prefecture, are affected by the spread of the new coronavirus infection, increasing the risk of school closure.In Okinawa Prefecture, school closures have been implemented in the first wave of the pandemic in early 2020, but since the second wave in July 1, there have been no school closures and clusters that have occurred at educational institutions have been minimized. I came.Professor Kobayashi believes that the reason for this is that infection control in the school worked effectively.
However, Okinawa Prefecture is currently being issued a state of emergency, and is exposed to an outbreak in which the number of infected people per capita exceeds that of Tokyo.School closures have been reported to have a number of adverse effects on children, including worsening mental health and increased suicide due to excessive reliance on the Internet, and should be kept to a minimum, but the situation remains unpredictable. ing.
Professor Kobayashi says that there is an urgent need to continue strengthening school health in Okinawa Prefecture and to strengthen school health in other islands in the Asia-Pacific region.
Paper information:[Pediatrics International 2021] Urgent need to strengthen school health in Asia and the Pacific Islands
