[Evaluation of health promotion programs using health checkup data and medical receipts]

In a research project on the evaluation of health promotion programs using a health dataset including health checkup data and medical receipts, which was supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the potential preventive factors that influence disease severity and medical expenditure were studied.

A dataset from a city with a population of 36,544 and a large elderly population (31.1%) was studied using 12 elementary school geographical areas as the basis of classification. A dataset from a company of 4,780 employees was analyzed to determine changes in health checkup data related to metabolic syndrome over 3 years. A simulation model to identify factors that are important for reducing the incidence of complications such as ischemic heart disease and stroke was developed.

Geographical analyses showed a negative association between the rate of participation in health checkup and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. The percentage of new patients who started pharmaceutical treatment was lower in the health-advice-intervention group (5.2%) than in the nonintervention group (29.6%). A simulation model to identify factors that are important for reducing the incidence of complications was developed using data on health checkup participation, percentage of those who undertook a lifestyle-modification program, and compliance with medical treatment among others.

Various health data including those on health checkup participation, percentage of those who undertook a lifestyle modification program, and compliance under medical treatment over 3 years were helpful in evaluating health promotion programs.