HGPI published a report summarizing key findings of “Survey on Health Promotion and Working Women 2018”.

Contents added: Figure 2 (p. 6) has been revised, and Figure 2-A and 2-B were added.

In addition, there was an error in the report. We deeply apologize and would like to correct as follows:
Correction: Figure 2 “Distribution of Health Literacy Scores” (p.6)
<Error> Mean value = 50.57　<Correct> Mean value = 54.43                                                                                               
（June 18, 2018）

With the Government recently promoting the creation of a “society where all women shine,” now, more than ever, women are expected to take charge of their own life plans, including when they become pregnant, when they raise children, where and how they work, and how they make contributions to society. However, social support for the improvement of knowledge and behaviors related to women’s health, and the promotion of women’s health in general, is still insufficient. 

This survey focused on health literacy[1] among women related to the issues that affect them. Results were analyzed to test associations between levels of health literacy and socioeconomic behaviors such as presenteeism,[2] health behaviors, and access to healthcare. This survey also examined sources of health information that might be useful for the improvement of health literacy among women.

• High health literacy was associated with high work performance
• High health literacy was associated with being able to plan pregnancies and the use of infertility treatment
• Women with high levels of health literacy were more likely to seek treatment for health symptoms that are specific to women
• There is high need for education on the mechanisms, prevention, screening, and treatment of diseases that are common among women, as well as when to consult a doctor about these diseases
• Health check-ups organized by workplaces encourage women to make regular visits to obstetricians/gynecologists

• Yutaka Osuga (Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo)
• Naho Morisaki (Chief, Division of Life-course Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD))
• Kazumi Kubota (Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University)
• Shu Suzuki (MSc candidate, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Department of Community Health Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo)
• Yuko Imamura (Senior Associate, Health and Global Policy Institute)
• Mariko Oyamada (Vice President, Health and Global Policy Institute)
• Yukiko Yoshida (Program Specialist, Health and Global Policy Institute)