3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
What do you mean by a healthy person? What does it take to be healthy? What causes people to lose their health? What do you mean by welfare? Do we need all welfare? Is welfare necessary for everyone? If we do not see the true nature of health and well-being, we will make wrong decisions about health and take wrong actions. In order to find the right action, we must perceive the essence of health and well-being, and find and embrace the action that is most suitable for that purpose.
A healthy person is someone whose mind and body are in good condition and lively. In order to be healthy, it is necessary to be medically healthy with no physical abnormalities. But even if you are medically healthy, you are not healthy unless you are mentally depressed and energetic. Only when you are physically and mentally healthy can you truly be healthy.
People lose their health for various reasons. Injuries due to accidents, etc., overeating, unbalanced diets, malnutrition, and other dietary abnormalities can lead to illness, poor health due to lack of exercise and poor sleep, mental stress and depression, etc. Over time, people lose their health due to various factors. In order to maintain good health, it is important to pay attention to your daily habits so that you do not lose your health. It is also important to take steps to recover when health is lost or nearly lost.
The purpose of welfare is to make people happy. It's not welfare unless you do it to make people happy. Fake welfare in the name of "welfare" is rampant in the world. You can tell if it's real or fake by looking at whether it actually makes people happy.
Welfare can be broadly divided into four categories. The first is welfare for those suffering from hunger, disease, disability, or mental illness. The second is welfare for vulnerable groups such as the poor, children, the elderly, pregnant women and mothers with young children. The third target is the young generation who will support society in the future, the young generation who have the potential to grow big and succeed in society, the possibility of experiencing major failures and setbacks, and the possibility of falling or committing crimes. And the fourth is welfare for the prime working generation who are in a position to support society right now.
Welfare is necessary for people in various positions to escape from suffering and worries and to experience happiness and abundance. It is likely that those in need of welfare are mainly those who are currently suffering and those in vulnerable situations. But it is not just the suffering and vulnerable who need welfare. People who are likely to suffer or become vulnerable in the future, and even if they are not currently suffering, but are worried about the future or are unable to experience happiness and prosperity, it can be said that they need some form of welfare.
What we need to do is promote activities that realize genuine welfare so that people can actually feel happiness. Welfare cannot be achieved by scattering money or building buildings. It is important not to misunderstand the essence of welfare, so that it does not become a mere money-sucking worm.
Contributing to people's health and happiness is very important in corporate activities. We must not allow people to lose their health or lose their sense of happiness and prosperity through corporate activities. In order to achieve the goal of "Good Health and Welfare for All," we must not engage in activities that would harm people's health and happiness, and should not engage in activities that are harmful to people's happiness or health. It is important to avoid doing business such as buying products and services from companies that do harmful business.
The United Nations has set 13 specific targets for "good health and well-being for all." In order to actually achieve the goals of "Good Health and Well-Being for All," let's take a look at these targets and think about them.
3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
Childbirth is a life-threatening event for women. Protecting the mother's body from the risks associated with childbirth is one of the most important issues in maintaining and improving people's health and happiness.
The maternal mortality rate in Japan has fallen below 50 per 100,000 live births since 1970, and has remained at 3-4 per 100,000 live births from 2010 to 2020. In Japan, the aging of women who give birth is progressing, and reducing the burden of giving birth at an old age is an issue.
Given this situation in Japan, it can be said that the goal of less than 70 births per 100,000 births has already been achieved. However, we must also be aware of the reality of the world that there are many countries with mortality rates higher than this figure.
Factors contributing to the high maternal mortality rate in the world include a lack of care before and after childbirth, an increase in pregnancies among women under the age of 14 who are considered to be at high risk of dying during childbirth, sexual violence, poverty, lack of education, war and civil strife. The collapse of medical care due to malnutrition, superstitious customs that endanger the mother's body, etc. In countries with problems such as war, civil strife, poverty, and lack of education, sexual violence and pregnancies under the age of 14 tend to spread, leading to a high maternal mortality rate.
In conducting corporate activities, we will support safer pregnancy and childbirth for employees, etc., and it is important to cooperate with efforts to reduce the mortality rate in countries with high maternal mortality rates when promoting business.
3.1 Draft Course of Action
・"Support efforts for safer pregnancy and childbirth, and cooperate with efforts to reduce mortality in countries with high maternal mortality."
3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
The neonatal mortality rate in Japan has been below 10 per 1,000 live births since 1967, and has been around 1 per 1,000 live births in the 2010s. In order to reduce the mortality rate of newborns and children under the age of five, it is important to provide proper care and follow-up during childbirth, learn correct knowledge about hygiene and health, and take appropriate measures.
Causes of death of newborns and children under the age of five include congenital abnormalities, accidents before and after childbirth, lack of health care for mothers and children, malnutrition and deterioration of sanitary environment due to poverty and lack of knowledge, and war and civil strife. The collapse of medical care due to malnutrition, and superstitious customs that endanger mothers and infants.
It is important for companies to support efforts to reduce the mortality rate of newborns and children under the age of five, as well as reducing maternal mortality.
3.2 Draft Course of Action
・"We will support efforts to improve the environment for raising infants, and cooperate with efforts to reduce the mortality rate in countries with high infant and under-five mortality rates."
3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases
AIDS is caused by infection with the HIV virus. The HIV virus is mainly transmitted by homosexual or heterosexual sexual contact, and may also be transmitted by mother-to-child transmission, blood donation, and blood products. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a highly dangerous infectious disease in Japan. Although malaria has not yet occurred in Japan, it is still a serious and high-risk infectious disease in tropical and subtropical regions.
We never know when an infectious disease will threaten our health and lives. It is important that the country and society as a whole work to eradicate infectious diseases, and that we acquire basic knowledge of infectious disease control and strive to prevent infection on a daily basis.
3.3 Draft Course of Action
・"Support activities to eradicate serious infectious diseases that threaten people's health and lives, and participate in awareness campaigns to disseminate and practice infection prevention knowledge"
3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
Non-communicable diseases are basically diseases that are caused by lifestyle habits that make it easier to get sick, not by viruses. Specific examples include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Contributing factors include excessive drinking, smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, and chronic mental fatigue.
If the disease is caused by lifestyle habits, it should be possible to prevent it by improving lifestyle habits. Encouraging people to improve their lifestyle habits is important for disease reduction as well as dissemination of disease treatment.
Excessive drinking and smoking are often caused by everyday stress. Even if you want to quit drinking or smoking, you can't keep your will strong and quit easily. If you try to force yourself to stop, you may get a backlash. Mental support for those who are trying to cut down on alcohol and quit smoking is an important activity for health promotion.
3.4 Draft Course of Action
・"Promote lifestyle improvement support, mental health support, and stress management practices. We will provide mental support to those who are trying to improve their lifestyle habits."
3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
Substance abuse is the use of illegal drugs, or the frequent or habitual use of non-illegal drugs or alcohol to the point of causing problems. Using drugs or alcohol can make you physically or mentally dependent on them. As addiction increases, the frequency and dose increase, and eventually the user is forced to continue using it even when harmful problems arise. Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction is not easy. It is said that it is important to get out of dependence by entering a special facility and abstaining from drugs and alcohol, as well as receiving treatment and mental care.
In order to prevent substance abuse, there are activities such as enlightenment activities, monitoring activities, and regulations, crackdowns, and alerts for dealers who sell substances that are at risk of abuse. At the same time, it is also necessary to support people who are already in a state of substance abuse to escape from dependence and recover.
3.5 Draft Course of Action
・"We will support and participate in activities to prevent abuse of drugs and alcohol, etc., and cooperate with activities to support recovery from drug and alcohol dependence."
3.6 By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents
Reducing the number of casualties from traffic accidents is an important issue for a society with advanced motorization. Methods to reduce accidents include devising roads, traffic lights, signs, etc. to make accidents less likely, strengthening traffic enforcement, encouraging cars that slow down and have high safety performance, and encouraging motorcyclists and motorcyclists. It is conceivable to carry out safe driving enlightenment activities and enlighten and alert cyclists and pedestrians.
As a business, it is necessary to actively work to reduce traffic accidents in the course of doing business. Specifically, we encourage employees to turn off their mobile phones while driving, use public transportation when visiting customers, strengthen safety equipment for company vehicles, thoroughly educate employees on safe driving, and actively participate in traffic safety campaigns.
3.6 Draft Course of Action
・As part of our proactive efforts to reduce traffic accidents, we will promote turning off mobile phones while driving, using public transportation when visiting customers, and participating in local traffic safety campaigns.
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
Family planning, sexual and reproductive health care, and access to appropriate information and education on these matters are important for the health of people and the future of the nation. When the demographic composition of a nation changes, the working population changes, the national power changes, and the necessary facilities such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes also change.
As a company, it is important to make it easier for employees and others to use sexual and reproductive health services so that their employees, the surrounding society, and the country they belong to can develop happily and stably.
3.7 Draft Course of Action
・"Support employees so that they can easily use sexual and reproductive health services so that they can develop happily and stably."
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people can receive health care services such as prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation at an affordable cost when they need it. UHC is sometimes interpreted as universal health insurance, but it is not just a matter of having an insurance system that all citizens can join. It is required that the system is functioning properly and concretely, such as access to high-quality services and safe, effective, high-quality and inexpensive medicines and vaccines.
In 1961, the universal health insurance system started in Japan. Japan's universal health insurance system, which allows anyone with a health insurance card to receive necessary medical services at any time, is considered to be one of the best in the world. However, the current system in Japan is not without its problems. For example, if insurance does not cover normal childbirth, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, etc., the burden on the person receiving the medical service or treatment will increase. However, it has been pointed out that there are many drawbacks, such as excessive medical care, prescribing a lot of medicines, inoculating a lot of vaccines, and tending to neglect efforts to prevent disease. Some people say, "Doctors give too much medicine," and only take about half of what the doctor prescribes. If distrust in medical care grows due to the media and other factors, some people will refuse to receive the medical care they need when they need it, and the medical care system will not be utilized.
As a company, in Japan, along with the utilization of the universal health insurance system, we will promote efforts to compensate for the difficulties, and if we establish overseas subsidiaries, etc., we will provide the necessary medical services for employees hired at overseas branches.
3.8 Draft Course of Action
・"We will promote education for employees in Japan on the appropriate use of the universal health insurance system, and provide support for childbirth and preventive medical care. We will also provide medical services that can be received at overseas subsidiaries. We will continue to investigate and improve"
3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
Deaths and illnesses caused by air and water pollution are serious social issues. As a company, it is a basic and important task to work on reducing the number of deaths and sicknesses caused by hazardous substances and air, water, and soil pollution in Japan and overseas.
3.9 Draft Course of Action
・"We will not cause air pollution, water pollution, etc. that causes pollution in Japan and overseas, and will support activities to improve the health of employees and local people and improve their living environment."
3.a Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate
For health, it seems that there is nothing better than not smoking. A long time ago, there were cigarette advertisements everywhere, and smoking scenes often appeared in movies and TV dramas. On the street, on the platform of the station, in the restaurant, in the coffee shop, while driving the car, in the house, adults smoked cigarettes normally. Cigarettes are a symbol of a cool adult, and there was a time when I was a child's admiration. Now cigarettes are just the bad guys. Smoking scenes have been cut in movies and TV dramas, tobacco advertisements and advertisements have disappeared, ashtrays and push-type lighters that were always in cars are no longer standard equipment, stations, restaurants and coffee shops are separating smoking or non-smoking areas. Above all, more and more places are banning smoking while walking by ordinance.
Often overlooked is the mental health care of current smokers. From the direction of the World Health Organization, there is no doubt that tobacco control will be further tightened in the future. Smokers are getting narrower and narrower. Efforts to reduce the number of smokers are of course necessary. It is also important to provide support so that they can quit smoking effortlessly so that they do not suffer mentally and endanger their health.
3.a Draft Course of Action
・“We will work to thoroughly separate smoking areas and raise awareness about smoking cessation, and work to create a system that prevents minors and young people from being induced to smoke."
3.b Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all
Improving public health in developing countries and supporting research and development for diseases are very important to protect the lives and health of people in developing countries. The loss of life in developing countries due to intellectual property restrictions such as patents is terrifying. Companies often move to developing countries in search of cheap labor. If you are going to advance, let's do something for their lives and health. Rather than simply using the country's cheap labor force, we can create a win-win relationship by making some kind of effort for the health and welfare of the people there, and by extension, our relationship with that country.
3.b Draft Course of Action
・“When expanding into a developing country, etc., along with a business plan in that country, we will formulate and implement an action plan for the health and welfare of the local people.”
3.c Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States
Depending on the region, such as developing countries and remote small islands, there may be a lack of financial resources, human resources, or the ability to receive medical services, and there may not be a training system in place. What we can do as a company may be limited, but it is desirable to participate in activities that enable people to receive low-cost, high-quality medical services even in places where finances and human resources are inadequate.
3.c Draft Course of Action
・"Participate in activities that enable people to receive low-cost, high-quality medical services even in places where finances and human resources are inadequate."
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks
Massive disasters, disease outbreaks, famines, pollution, and wars can expose millions of people across nations and the world to health risks. In order to protect people from large-scale health risks, we will provide education on prevention and self-protection on a daily basis.
3.d Draft Course of Action
・"We will continue to practice and prepare for disasters and epidemics on a daily basis, and develop an emergency contact network and command system in the event of a problem."
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