Health in Japan

    As the country with the greatest life expectancy since 1985, toping the charts at an average of 78 years for females and 72 years for me, Japan and its healthcare system has become of special interest to much of the industrialized world. When examining the causes of death for comparison with America, there is very little differentiation, with Japanese citizens primarily dying from heart disease (24%), cancer (>21%), and lower respiratory infections (9%).

    Though HIV/AIDS is not one of the leading causes of death in Japan, it is quickly on the rise with the UNAIDS agency estimating a rise from 7,320 cases in 1998, to 12,000 in 2001. This dramatic increase is attributed to the taboo nature of sex, and sexuality with in Japanese culture. As a result of this, Japan has the lowest public awareness of the disease among industrialized countries.

    Also wearing away at Japan's hightened level of wellness is the issue of tobacco. This issue intial arose from the government act as the largest tobacco retailer in the country. Resulting from this is 54% of males and 18% of females smoking. Due to pressures imposed by private sector tobacco companies little is being done about this increasely prevalient problem.

Healthcare Structure

    Starting in 1927, Japan instituted manidory state provided health insurance. These insurance policies are required, by law, to offer a basic package of benefits (including medical consultation, drugs, and other materials; medical treatment, surgery, and other services; home care treatment and nursing; and hospitalization and nursing at medical institutions) and they may offer additional benefits (e.g., funeral benefits, maternity allowances) under the collective scheme. The two primary systems of health coverage in the country areKenko-Hoken (Social Insurance) and Kokumin-Kenko-Hoken (National Health Insurance). National health insurance is generally reserved for self-employed people and students, where as social insurance is normally for corporate employees. Neither of these insurance plans can denie any claims. The average contribution is around 4% of the person’s salary. Those covered under Employee Health Insurance pay 20% of their medical costs when hospitalized and 30% of the costs for out-patient care. Under this plan the insured pay 30% of in- or out-patient costs, as well as co-payments for prescription drugs.

    Even with the entire population of Japan being covered by this governmental system, the total expenditures in Japan are still significantly less than those in America.In the year 2000 Japan spent 7.6% of its GDP on health, compared to Canada which spent 9.2%, and America which spent 13.1%.  On the downside  due to this decreased amount of expenditures  Japan  has a lower ratio of doctors to pollutation with 1.9 physician per 1,000 people in Japan, compared to 2.7 in America. To make up for the small proportion of doctors is the abundance of healthcare facilities, with more than 8,700 general hospitals, 1,000 mental hospitals, and 1,000 comprehensive hospitals. This brings the carrying capacity of beds up to 1.5 million. To supplement the hospital system are 79,000 primary care, out-patient clinics, and 48,000 dental clinics. Within these facilities are enough CT and MRI scanners to give Japan the title of highest number of scanners per capita.