Japan COPD Index
Rank
(out of 24 countries)
8
Index Score
(out of 100)
66.44
Deaths
(as a % of overall deaths)
2.28%
Smoking Rate
20.1%
Societal Costs
(cost per person)
$662
Above average performance
Average performance
Below average performance
Japan scores high in the Policy Context category due to strong adherence to COPD guidelines and a well-implemented national strategy
Japan scores high in the Policy Context category, primarily due to strong adherence to COPD guidelines and a well-implemented national strategy, though it would benefit from strengthening its tobacco control policy. Japan’s score in the Health System Characteristics category score is slightly above average, with the highest overall rate of COVID-19 vaccination, though this indicator should be interpreted cautiously due to data limitations. Japan’s score is above average in the Environmental Factors category, with relatively low occupational exposure to COPD risk factors and particulate matter exposure levels. The Disease Burden score in Japan is above average, with a relatively low death rate, but high sex-based inequality in the burden of COPD. Japan reports one of the lowest scores in the Access and Care Coverage category, due to only partial access to most services, despite relatively strong care referral pathways.
COPD Index Key Takeaways
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following takeaways regarding COPD care in Japan.
4th highest performer in the Policy Context category due to strong adherence to COPD guidelines and a well-implemented national strategy
Highest rate of COVID-19 vaccination
Comparatively low levels of Access and Care Coverage
Best Practices for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following best practices regarding COPD care in Japan.
High-risk groups are selected with a medical questionnaire and asked to undergo spirometry
Challenges for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following challenges regarding COPD care in Japan.
Ensure early detection in health check-ups at the primary care level
Low public and primary care awareness of COPD
Low use of spirometry
Opportunities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following opportunities regarding COPD care in Japan.
Better detection of COPD at health check-ups to support early diagnosis and intervention
Priorities for COPD Care
Data from the COPD Index revealed the following priorities regarding COPD care in Japan.
Increase public awareness— people experience symptoms but do not report them when coming for check-ups as they see them as signs of ageing rather than disease
Compare Japan to other countries
Select different countries to see how they scored across each of the 5 categories and overall
Key Contributor Insights
“[The challenge is that] … COPD may be missed despite health checkups. Many doctors are unaware that COPD is present in patients who see a general practitioner for hypertension, diabetes and so on. The disease COPD is not well recognised by the people. It is very important to raise awareness of COPD among doctors in charge of medical health checkup, general practitioners, and the public as a whole in Japan.”
“[The challenge is that] … The general public does not come to the hospital because they think cough, sputum and shortness of breath are unavoidable because of their age. They do not report such symptoms even though they regularly visit the doctor for hypertension or diabetes.”
Sources
You can view the data sources for this country HERE