Purpose and History

Purpose

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011 and subsequent disaster at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant led to extensive damage in Fukushima Prefecture. News of radioactive materials released due to the nuclear accident caused widespread anxiety among residents about health effects, and there were also concerns that prolonged evacuation could worsen people’s physical and mental health.

In response, the Fukushima Prefectural Government initiated the Fukushima Health Management Survey, consisting of a Basic Survey (external dose estimation for the first 4 months after the nuclear accident) and four Detailed Surveys (Thyroid Ultrasound Examination, Comprehensive Health Check, Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, and Pregnancy and Birth Survey). Implementation of the Survey has been entrusted to Fukushima Medical University (FMU).

The Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey was established at FMU in September 2011 to carry out the Survey. Through it, we aim to watch over the long-term health of people from Fukushima. Prevention, early detection, and early treatment of disease are pillars of our mission. As care professionals, we endeavor to improve and maintain residents’ health through the Survey and other health promotion activities, while trying to more effectively implement and adjust the Survey with cooperation and guidance from other universities, research institutes, administrative bodies, and academic societies in and outside Japan.

History

2011	June 1: Establishment of a Health Survey Section within the Planning and Finance Division of FMU's Administration Office. September 1: Establishment of the Headquarters for Radiation Medicine Health Management as one of FMU's corporate organizations. Established within the Radiation Medical Science Center for the FHMS (hereinafter "Center") were the Department of Information Management, Department of Epidemiology, and Clinical Department.
2012	April 1: A Health Survey Division was newly established in the Administration Office. The Department of Public Relations and the Department of International Cooperation were newly established in the Center. June 1: The Department of the Basic Survey was separated from the Department of Epidemiology. The Clinical Department was divided into the Department of Thyroid Ultrasound Examination, the Department of Comprehensive Health Check, the Department of Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, and the Department of Pregnancy and Birth Survey. The Sakaemachi Office of the Center was established in Sakaemachi, a part of Fukushima City adjacent to the east exit of Fukushima Station. November 20: The Fukushima Global Medical Science Center was newly established. The Center was positioned under its umbrella.
2013	April 1: The Department of Public Relations was reorganized into the Department of Public Relations and Communication. The Department of Radiation Dose Estimates was newly established. July 1: The Department of Survey Implementation Management was newly established in the Center. October 1: The Department of the Basic Survey and the Department of Radiation Dose Estimates were combined into the Department of the Basic Survey and Radiation Dose Estimates. The Department of Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey and Care was newly established.
2014	April 1: Eleven departments of the Center were reorganized into four departments: the Department of the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination, the Department of Int ernational Cooperation and Communication, the Department of the Health Survey, and the Department of Epidemiology and Statistics. A new cross-departmental Planning Office was established. The Thyroid Ultrasound Examination Section was established as an internal administrative section of the Health Survey Division.
2015	April 1: The Department of International Cooperation and Communication and the Department of Epidemiology and Statistics were renamed as offices under the Department of Health Survey Public Support. (Office of Public Relations and Communication, Office of International Cooperation, Office of Epidemiology, Office of Information and Management and Statistics). The Office of Risk Communication and the Office of Cancer Registry were newly established under the same department.
2016	December 1: The Sakaemachi Office was closed and moved to Hikarigaoka. December 11: The Fukushima Global Medical Science Center fully opened.
2018	April 1: The Department of the Health Survey was divided into the Department of the Health Survey and the Department of the Health Survey Personal Support.
2021	April 1: The Office of Public Relations and Communication and the Office of International Cooperation were put under direct supervision of the Executive Director as the Office of Public Communications and International Cooperation.