Research on the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases and longevity in Amami
International Island and Community Medicine(Until 2021),Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine(From 2022)
Takezaki Toshiro(Until 2021),Koriyama Chihaya/Tanoue Shiroh(From 2022)
- china
- yoron
- amami
- setouchi
- tatsugou
- kikai
- tokunoshima
- amagi
- isen
- wadomari
Background and objectives of activities
We have been conducting a genome cohort study since 2005 in 10 cities and towns in the Amami Islands region and 3 cities in the main land region of Kagoshima Prefecture, with the aim of clarifying the environmental and host factors involved in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases using molecular epidemiology and contributing to healthy longevity.
Summary of Activities
Since 2005, we have been conducting the “Amami Study on Prevention of Lifestyle-related Diseases and Longevity” (from 2022, the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine will take over from the Department of International Island Medicine), and this study is part of a Japanese multi-center cohort study funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Cohort and Biological Sample Support Platform”, and we plan to continue the follow-up survey until 2035. The target areas in Amami are Amami Oshima (Naze and Kasari in Amami City, Tatsugo Town, Setouchi Town), Kikaijima, Tokunoshima (3 towns), Okinoerabujima (2 towns), and Yoronjima, and we are currently continuing to conduct follow-up surveys on the incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc., with the cooperation of municipalities, public health centers, and medical institutions, targeting 5,015 people (7,638 people in Kagoshima as a whole). In addition, we are also using the data obtained independently in the Kagoshima region in our undergraduate education.
Expected Benefits
By clarifying the dietary habits related to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases that are unique to the Amami Islands region, we can expect to gain further insights into healthy longevity.