Information about Specific Health Guidance
(特定保健指導 / tokutei hoken shido)
Information on "Specific Health Guidance" in AY2022 Special Informational Health Limited Series
Information on Specific Health Checkup (特定健康診査 / tokutei kenko shinsa) and Specific Health Guidance
(For those enrolled in Keio Gijiku Health Insurance Association)
Medical insurers have been obligated to provide Specific Health Checkup and Specific Health Guidance focusing on visceral fat obesity since April of 2008. All insured individuals and their dependents between the ages of 40 and 74 are eligible for these services.
For insured persons, Specific Health Checkup are conducted at the Keio University Health Center every fall to coincide with annual health checkups for faculty and staff members. Health check results are evaluated, and individuals flagged as meeting given criteria are offered support for living healthier lifestyles (Specific Health Guidance), with the aim of early detection and response to subclinical metabolic syndrome--a condition that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular diseases.
The stratification criteria for Specific Health Guidance differs from the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), the global criteria for metabolic syndrome. Individuals insured in Japan are offered lifestyle guidance in accordance with the criteria determined by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
As an insured person, you are expected to undergo not only health checkups but also health guidance based on the results. In regard to Specific Health Checkup and Specific Health Guidance, if the number of those taking either of these services is small, the support amount sought for medical care system for elderly in the latter stage of life will be increased for medical insurers. Starting in 2019, the support amount for medical care system for elderly in the latter stage of life has been increased in stages for health insurance associations with low uptake rates for Specific Health Guidance. Depending on the rate of compliance of Specific Health Checkup and Specific Health Guidance at the Keio Gijuku Health Insurance Association, health insurance premiums may increase. For details, please refer to "Revision to the System for Increasing or Reducing Support Amounts for medical care system for elderly in the latter stage of life" on the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Link: Revision to the System for Increasing or Reducing Support Amounts for medical care system for elderly in the latter stage of life
JP: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000193725.html
EN: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/wp/wp-hw3/dl/2-007.pdf
Those whose health checkup results indicate "active support" or "motivational support" are eligible for Specific Health Guidance and will be notified by the Keio Gijuku Health Insurance Association. The earlier and milder the stage in which Specific Health Guidance is implemented, the more effective it is.
Health services that would normally involve a cost burden if sought individually can be received for free under Specific Health Guidance.Specific Health Guidance not only provides explanations of your health results by doctors, public health nurses, and nutritionists, but also allows you to receive ongoing support for living a healthier life. In addition, if you undergo Specific Health Guidance at the Keio University Health Center, you can take a blood test free of charge after you have taken steps to modify your lifestyle.
This is the perfect opportunity for those receiving the notification to take steps to improve their health.
There are certain criteria for those to be able to undergo Specific Health Guidance. If you do not meet the criteria (i.e., if you do not receive a notification), you will not be able to undergo Specific Health Guidance whether or not you wish to do so. Specific health guidance by Keio Gijuku Health Insurance is available only for Keio Gijuku Health Insurance subscribers. The criteria are determined based on how many risk factors for cardiovascular disease: age, abdominal circumference, body mass index (BMI, weight in kg/height in m2), blood glucose levels, lipid levels, blood pressure, and smoking.
How to interpret the results of the health check for faculty and staff members
Information on the implementation at the Keio University Health Center
All eligible participants who undergo the Specific Health Guidance at the Keio University Health Center will be offered support for improving their health status over a 3- to 6-month period. Please sign up if you receive a notification.
【Example Schedule】
First interview (can be held at the Keio University Health Center on each campus or the branch at each affiliated school)↓
Confirmation of status by email, letter, etc.
↓
Reexamination (weight and abdominal circumference measurement, blood pressure measurement, blood test)
↓
Final interview
※The process is complete when you have conducted all steps through the final interview.
This has the potential to help those notified to kill three birds with one stone, namely: to save on healthcare costs; while undergoing guidance which would normally entail a high cost burden free of charge; and to mediate the risks of metabolic syndrome.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your lifestyle habits.