The 27th
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Epidemiological Association

On behalf of the organizing committee, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Epidemiological Association, which will be held in Yamanashi Prefecture from January 25 to 27, 2017 in the city of Kofu.

The theme of this year's meeting is "Epidemiology to Contribute to Life-Course Health Care." "From the cradle to the grave" has been the slogan of British social security policy since World War II. This phrase symbolizes governmental policy on providing welfare over citizens' lifetimes. However, it is similarly necessary for health policy to support lifetime health. The theme of this meeting is based on the desire to consider, from the viewpoints of the life-course healthcare, how epidemiology can contribute to the prevention of diseases in people from the fetal stage. In particular, we would like to carefully discuss cohort studies that pertain to topics from basic scientific concepts to contributing to health policy.

For these reasons, we have asked two speakers to give special lectures concerning the use and application of health information, the basis of cohort studies. Professor Akira Morita, the head of the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), will give a talk entitled "Possibilities Yielded by the Medical Number System and Medical ICT" concerning the possibilities for epidemiological research created by the Japanese My Number registration system. Furthermore, Professor Mads Melbye (Professor, MD, DMSc; Executive Vice President, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark), who has played a central role in Danish national birth cohort research, will provide an overview of Danish national birth cohort research that has utilized data from the Danish Civil Registration System and Disease Registration System.

Epidemiological research is medical research involving human subjects; it is research that is conducted based on health information, etc. provided by citizens. Thus, in order to obtain people's understanding, cooperation, and support concerning epidemiological research, epidemiologists should conduct studies while ensuring public trust. It is my hope to provide a forum to discuss the current status of large-scale multicenter studies; ethical, legal, and social implications in research; and research governance pertaining to science and communication in regard to the contribution of research results and outcomes.

This is our first scientific meeting to be held in Yamanashi. In consideration of accessibility to the venue, we have selected a location that is three minutes on foot from Kofu Station. It is my sincere desire that all members will feel free to actively participate in discussion during the meeting.

I look forward to welcoming you to Kofu in January 2017.

Yours sincerely