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About

The Department of Social and Preventive Epidemiology was established when the School of Public Health was newly founded in the Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo. Our research is primarily centred on the field of nutritional epidemiology. The first professor was Professor Emeritus Satoshi Sasaki (2007–2022), and Kentaro Murakami was appointed as a professor in 2023.

What is social preventive epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of quantitatively understanding health status and disease occurrence in a population, as well as statistically analyzing the relationship between factors related to the risk of disease and disease incidence. In addition to classical elements such as alcohol consumption, smoking, nutrition, and physical activity, epidemiological research on genes, factors controlling their expression, and socioeconomic factors has recently gained momentum. Epidemiological data on disease incidence and other factors are also essential for evaluating drugs and other treatments.

Furthermore, epidemiology is a central field in health science, serving as a practical science that provides research methodology and supports preventive healthcare. Unfortunately, the educational and research systems in Japan have been inadequate in this regard.

Social preventive epidemiology employs epidemiological methods to elucidate the relationship between various phenomena occurring in human society, including individual lifestyle habits, and diseases. It aims to identify specific measures that can leverage these phenomena for disease prevention and control.

Course in charge

Our department oversees the elective courses "Epidemiology Research and Practice" (summer semester) and " Practice and Assessment in Public Health" (summer intensive course) in the School of Public Health (professional degree program), Graduate School of Medicine. These courses are open to students from other graduate schools and departments as well.

Research topics

Nutritional epidemiology

Nutritional epidemiology is the overarching term for epidemiological research focusing primarily on nutrition and dietary factors. In simpler terms, it can be described as "the scientific discipline that employs epidemiological methods to elucidate the connection between our dietary choices, eating habits, and their impact on our health."

In our department, we research the theory and methodology of dietary assessment methods, develop survey methods such as the Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire (MDHQ), and conduct basic research on these methods.

In our department, we delve into the theory and methodology of dietary assessment methods, work on the development of survey techniques like the Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire (MDHQ), and engage in fundamental research concerning these methods.

Nutritional epidemiology is a crucial scientific discipline that establishes the scientific foundation for disease prevention and treatment through dietary practices. In this context, our department plays a vital role in not only disseminating the findings of nutritional epidemiology research from Japan to the global community but also in aggregating and distributing the outcomes of nutritional epidemiology research worldwide to Japan.

Career Paths After Graduation

Graduates from our laboratory pursue diverse careers both in Japan and abroad, including positions in government agencies (national and local), research institutes, universities, hospitals, private companies (medical, pharmaceutical, and others), and international organizations, as well as opportunities for further study overseas.

Examples of career destinations after graduation include:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare¹; Municipal governments²; National Institute of Health and Nutrition³; National Institute of Public Health³; National Institute of Health Sciences³; The University of Tokyo; Toho University; Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd.; World Health Organization (WHO); Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); University of Southampton (UK); Tufts University (USA), among others.

¹ Japan, national government agency
² Local governments in Japan
³ Japan, national research institute

・On the Public Health Program website, you can find stories of our graduates, such as Ms. Yui Yoshii (JICA) and Ms. Riho Adachi (Tufts University), who share their experiences after graduation. Please note that these stories are available in Japanese only.

In our laboratory, we value not only conducting research but also making sure that research can benefit society. We encourage our students to discover paths where they can connect their studies with real-world impact.

✨ Join us and explore your future!