Dr. Wakabayashi won the Global Health Yong Encouragement Award 2022.

The Global Health Yong Encouragement Award is given to young researchers who have made contributions that meet the objectives of the “Global Health Medical Care Strategy 2020” by the National Center for Global Health and Medicine. The award ceremony was health on March 22, 2023.

Award type：Honored in official journal of a scientific society, scientific journal  Country：Japan

Dr. Wakabayashi received the Encouragement Award 2022 of Japan Association for International Health.

The award-winning papers:
Mami Wakabayashi, Mana Takahashi, Hiroyasu Iso, COVID-19 vaccine in the Pacific Islands related to COVAX Facility and bilateral assistance, Kokusai Hoken Iryo (Journal of International Health), 2022, Volume 37, Issue 2, Pages 51-68, Released on J-STAGE June 16, 2022, Online ISSN 2436-7559, Print ISSN 0917-6543, https://doi.org/10.11197/jaih.37.51

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

This paper discussed 3 points;
The vaccine industry in Japan has been slow to develop, approve, and produce vaccines domestically compared to Europe and the U.S. From these lessons learned, Japan has enacted various policies.
The vaccine industry needs to be promoted through industry-government-collaboration with a view to long-term national security.
Japanese pharmaceutical/bio companies are expected to participate in international frameworks for vaccine development and production support.

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：National Center for Global Health and Medicine (JST)  

This study aimed to examine the changes that took place between 2015–2019 and 2020 and reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic affected financial contributions from donors. We used the Creditor Reporting System database of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to investigate donor disbursement. Focusing on the Group of Seven (G7) countries and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), we analyzed their development assistance for health (DAH) in 2020 and the change in their average disbursement between 2015 and 2019.
As a result, total disbursements for all sectors increased by 14% for the G7 and the BMGF. In addition, the year 2020 saw an increase in DAH for the BMGF and the G7 except for the United States. The total disbursement amount for the “COVID-19” category by G7 countries and the BMGF was approximately USD 3 billion in 2020, which was 3 times larger than for “Malaria,” 8.5 times larger for “Tuberculosis,” and 60% smaller for “STDs including HIV/AIDS” for the same In 2020 as well, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, and Canada saw their disbursements decline for more than half of 26 sectors. In conclusion, the impact of COVID-19 was observed in the changes in DAH disbursement for three major infectious diseases and other sectors. To consistently address the health needs of LMICs, it is important to perform a follow-up analysis of their COVID-19 disbursements and the influence of other DAH areas.

DOI： 10.35772/ghm.2023.01049

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background: Little is known about the vulnerable populations and problem drinking in terms of health inequality. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health indifference estimated by Health Interest Scale (HIS) and problem drinking identified by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing data from a nationwide internet survey in Japan in 2022. The number of total participants was 29,377, with 49% of them being male, and the mean age was 47.9 (±17.9) years old. The participants were categorized into the following groups based on the quintiles of HIS score: health indifferent (0–16), low health interest (17–20), middle health interest (21–22), middle-high interest (23–26) and high health interest (27–36) groups. Problem drinking was identified as AUDIT score of ≥8 points, and controlled drinking was defined as ≤3 times per week as the frequency of drinking, ≤2 drinks (20 g ethanol) per one occasion as the volume of drinking, and no alcohol-related problem, such as blackout after drinking, based on AUDID.
Results: The association between health indifference and problem drinking was explored through logistic regression with adjustment for various socioeconomic status such as education, income level, and occupation; the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51–1.95]. Health interest group were likely to have controlled drinking compared with the health indifferent group; the aORs were 1.34 (95% CI:1.20–1.51) for high health interest groups.
Conclusion: No or lower health interest groups were a vulnerable population for problem drinking, regardless of their socioeconomic status. It could be useful to identify the health indifferent group through HIS and to monitor the impact of health intervention for this group for the reduction of health inequality.

DOI： 10.1265/ehpm.22-00306

PubMed

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japan Association for International Health  

The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility) is a global risk-sharing framework established to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This paper explains the mechanism of the COVAX Facility and discusses the following aspects: (1) issues related to vaccine supply through the COVAX Facility, and vaccine donation or provision as a means of bilateral assistance; (2) case studies of vaccine supply and the number of vaccines administered in the Pacific Islands; and (3) the state of vaccine support in terms of the island nations’ vulnerability to COVID-19.

DOI： 10.11197/jaih.37.51

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The letter “Global extension of Japanese medical products related to COVID-19: A survey of WHO Emergency Use Listing” by Dr. Wakabayashi et al. has been published in GHM Open.
The study focused on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Using Listing (EUL) for COVID-19. EUL is a procedure for the emergency use of vaccines and therapeutic and in vitro diagnostic products based on clinical data available at the time under the Public Health Emergencies of International Concern. As of January 2022, 28 in-vitro diagnostic products from China and three vaccines from India were on EUL. However, the only vaccine manufactured in Japan was listed on EUL. For Japanese medical products to be used globally in emergencies, this study discussed the importance of taking preparation and initiative for the global public procurement of medical products.

DOI： 10.35772/ghmo.2021.01032

Book type：Textbook, survey, introduction

A Japanese version of "A GUIDE TO GLOBAL HEALTH DIPLOMACY: Better health – improved global solidarity – more equity” has been created as part of the activities of the Research Group "Research to establish strategic and effective intervention methods to increase effective intervention at international conferences" (research representative: Hiroyasu Iso),

Other Link： https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/library/publications-institute/guide-global-health-diplomacy-better-health-improved-global

Event date： 2023.7

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Poster presentation  

Venue：Tokyo   Country：Japan  

Background: In order for Japan, as a member of the international community, to contribute to the achievement of health-related goals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is necessary to propose effective and strategic ways to contribute to and engage international organizations and institutions related to the health sector.
Objective: This study examines the impact of contributions to COVID-19 on contributions to other sectors and other health areas.
Methods: Using the database of Official Development Aid (ODA) at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), we compared the contributions of major donor countries in the health sector (G7) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the leading private philanthropic organization in the health sector, between 2020 and the average for 2015-2019.
Results: In 2020, total contributions of all development assistance from the G7 and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation increased by 14% compared to the average of the previous five years. However, contributions to more than half of the 26 sectors in five countries (U.S., U.K., Japan, Italy, and Canada) decreased compared to the previous five-year average. For example, in the water supply and sanitation sector, the combined G7 and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contributions fell 14% from the five-year average, including a 43% decline in Japan, which was the largest donor country in the five-year average. On the other hand, contributions to the health sector increased. In particular, contributions to COVID-19 accounted for 17% of total health contributions in 2020 (approximately US$17.57 billion). Contributions to the three major global infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis) decreased by 2% in 2020 compared to the average for the previous five years, but still accounted for 37% of total contributions to the health sector in 2020. However, with respect to contributions from donors for each of the three major global infectious diseases, compared to the average of the previous five years, contributions for malaria decreased in France (46%), the United Kingdom (72%), Germany (100%), Japan (58%), and Canada (95%); those for TB decreased in the United Kingdom (56%), Germany (4%), Japan (74%) (74%), Italy (12%), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (28%), and for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDs, decreases were observed in six countries except France and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (11%). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a small impact on contributions to the world's three major infectious diseases, as well as on contributions in other sectors outside of health.
Conclusion: It is possible that contributions to COVID-19 were prioritized under circumstances that made it difficult for countries to significantly increase their ODA contributions. In order to consistently address the health needs of low- and middle-income countries, it is important to analyze future trends in contributions to the health sector.

File： 発表版_若林真美_COVID19_ODA.pdf

Event date： 2022.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (nominated)  

Country：Japan  

This symposium will introduce Osaka University's career support activities and future prospects, as well as provide a keynote speech by the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and an opportunity to deepen understanding of career paths for doctoral candidates. The event will also provide an opportunity to hear the real opinions of companies and students.
A panel discussion titled "What to Expect from Osaka University and Companies" with the Director of the Recruitment & Career Creation Center, Panasonic Corporation.

File： 5thsymposium.pdf

Event date： 2022.11

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Aichi  

Background: We developed an Official Development Assistance (ODA) tracker for health and examined Japan’s contribution.
Methods: We used a database of ODA projects registered in the Creditor Reporting System (CRS) of member countries of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We analysed the cash flows to health sectors and the amount of assistance and compared to those of G7 countries using CRS data between 2011 and 2019. Fund from the Gates Foundation and other private philanthropic organizations were also analyzed using CRS to compare their contributions with those of the ODA from the G7.
Results: When focusing on “Basic Health” (CRS code 12200 series), which included the management of infectious diseases, the G7’s total contribution in 2019 was approximately $3.4 billion, approximately 51.6% of which was from the United States (~$1.76 billion). Japan contributed 5.5%, ranking fifth among G7 countries. The Gates Foundation’s contribution was about $1.85 billion, which is larger than those of each G7 country. Regarding “Water and Sanitation” (CRS code 14000 series); Japan remained the top contributor among G7 countries from 2011 to 2019.
Discussion: One target of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) is the response to infectious diseases. While Japan had a relatively small contribution to “Basic Health” including infectious disease control, Japan led the sector “Water and Sanitation,” which is under SDG6. Japan needs to continue its contributions to this sector and increase its aid to “Basic Health” which contribute to public health crisis such as COVID-19.

Event date： 2022.10

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University  

The Asian Cohort Consortium brings together over 48 cohort studies in Asia.

Researchers from Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United States, and other countries meet twice a year to report on the progress of their national cohorts, discuss issues related to developing common protocol guidelines, and prepare joint projects.

Consortium members are currently collaborating on several epidemiological studies focusing on various risk factors and health hazards in the Asian population.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Other Link： https://www.asiacohort.org/

Language：Japanese  

I gave a lecture to 20 top students from each course among the first and second year students at Takatsuki High School, entitled "How did we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic? Focusing on collaboration between WHO, Unicel, Gavi, etc." He gave a lecture in the form of questions and discussions on how to respond to unprecedented situations such as COVID-19 so as not to widen health disparities, focusing on COVAX, an international vaccine distribution mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

File： 20240618ESD+GLS.pdf

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese  

The 2025 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) will be held in Brazil, which has the world's largest tropical rainforest. Tropical rain forests in South America's Amazon are essential for absorbing carbon dioxide and slowing global warming, but large-scale disasters are disrupting these mechanisms. This paper introduces UNICEF Brazil's response to the large-scale drought in the Amazon state in 2023.

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese  

Brazil will become the chair of the G20 (Global Summit on Finance and Public Finance) in 2024 and will host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) in the Amazon region in 2025. It is one of the countries leading international discussions. Based on the current situation in Brazil's health sector, I will report on UNICEF's health projects in Brazil based on my experience working as a health specialist at the UNICEF Brazil office. UNICEF has developed a strategy called the Active Vaccination Project (BAV, Busca Ativa Vacinal in Portuguese). This paper introduces these efforts.

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：Japanese  

This paper describes UICEF Brazil's activities; Infant Friendly Unit Initiative (UAPI: Unidade amiga da PrimeiraInfancia). UAPI is an approach to improving early childhood service delivery and dialogue between professionals, pregnant women, and families with children. UAPI includes technical assistance for establishing primary health care units, monitoring and follow-up, and quality certification.

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publisher：JAPAN ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH  

Background: We developed an Official Development Assistance (ODA) tracker for health and examined Japan’s contribution.
Methods: We used a database of ODA projects registered in the Creditor Reporting System (CRS) of member countries of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We analysed the cash flows to health sectors and the amount of assistance and compared to those of G7 countries using CRS data between 2011 and 2019. Fund from the Gates Foundation and other private philanthropic organizations were also analyzed using CRS to compare their contributions with those of the ODA from the G7.
Results: When focusing on “Basic Health” (CRS code 12200 series), which included the management of infectious diseases, the G7’s total contribution in 2019 was approximately $3.4 billion, approximately 51.6% of which was from the United States (~$1.76 billion). Japan contributed 5.5%, ranking fifth among G7 countries. The Gates Foundation’s contribution was about $1.85 billion, which is larger than those of each G7 country. Regarding “Water and Sanitation” (CRS code 14000 series); Japan remained the top contributor among G7 countries from 2011 to 2019.
Discussion: One target of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) is the response to infectious diseases. While Japan had a relatively small contribution to “Basic Health” including infectious disease control, Japan led the sector “Water and Sanitation,” which is under SDG6. Japan needs to continue its contributions to this sector and increase its aid to “Basic Health” which contribute to public health crisis such as COVID-19.

DOI： 10.11197/jaih.38.121

Authorship：Lead author   Language：Japanese   Publisher：日本国際保健医療学会  

Jaih regularly publishes a newsletter, and the newsletter following the annual academic conference will include a message from the recipient of the JAIH Young Professional Award 2022.
The recipient's message describes how she came up with the idea for the research that the subject of the award, outlines of the research, the significance of this research, and her aspirations for future research.

File： JAIH_newsletter_4.pdf

Japan-UNICEF Brazil Collaboration Seminar

• Aims of the seminar: The collaboration seminar aims to facilitate partnerships between public and private and UNICEF Brazil to enhance child and adolescent health in Brazil. The seminar will provide an overview of health for children in Brazil, showcase corporate social investment projects from private companies, and explore effective partnership schemes.
• collaborators; Embassy of Japan,
• supporters: Chamber of commerce and Industry of Japan, Japan House, JICA, JETRO
• Invited speakers: Government of Brazil, TAKEDA, NEC
• Invited audience: Japanese companies in Brazil, PAHO, and other related institutions such as universities, local governments, and NGO

This is the result to published in each collaborators and media
1. Embassy of Japan
https://x.com/embjapao/status/1797610717505548766?s=48&t=7GY4rAgMFwKTv1fhJOrKyw

https://www.br.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00889.html (Japanese)

https://www.br.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_pt/11_000001_00890.html (Portuguese)


https://www.facebook.com/EmbaixadaDoJapao/posts/pfbid033F19RMSypqbNF9NYNhiqBCJJgRPCo4BQjUHq8Ug6TKVK5pk1cDysfpFuPExWHeMhl

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7y-1WxszKy/?igsh=cmo0am1jcWljdnhn

2. Japan House
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/japanhousesp_no-dia-28-de-maio-aconteceu-na-japan-house-activity-7206036018628583424-e1pw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

4. JICA

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jica-brazil_a-jica-discute-sobre-a-import%C3%A2ncia-da-parceria-activity-7203520210559979520-8Vo-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ZzjoMN6MKxEgKu4Y/?mibextid=4rjikB

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7xRPyiSPSP/?igsh=MWsxcHphbnc5ajJ4eA==

https://www.jica.go.jp/portuguese/overseas/brazil/information/topics/2024/1540861_54760.html


5. JETRO
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7204590071189016576


6. UNICEF Japan/ UNICEF NatCom (JUC)/UNICEF Brazil

https://x.com/UNICEFinJapan/status/1799978630149509580

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/unicef-brazil_unicef-e-embaixada-do-jap%C3%A3o-re%C3%BAnem-empresas-activity-7202400495489994752-ZbSi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
https://www.unicef.org/brazil/comunicados-de-imprensa/unicef-e-embaixada-do-japao-reunem-empresas-para-evento-sobre-esg-e-saude
( Mami is making a global health newsletter for this event to UNICEF HQ, which is internal newsletter but to send to all UNICEF Health on July)


7. Other companies which participated in the event/ news
https://esginside.com.br/2024/05/29/unicef-e-embaixada-do-japao-reunem-empresas-para-debater-esg-e-saude-infanto-juvenil/
https://www.brasilnippou.com/2024/240607-22colonia.html

File： 20240528_UNICEF_Accelerating innovation for Child and youth health.pdf

Other Link： https://www.unicef.or.jp/news/2024/0093.html

• Background: The seminar is conducted by the Comber of Commerce and Industry of Japan in Brazil (CCIJB) each month. CCIJB invited Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, a representative of UNICEF Brazil as a guest speaker to introduce UNICEF Brazil activities. More than 100 Japanese-related companies take part in this seminar each month to exchange the latest market situation of Brazil or related topic for their business with a guest speaker and make networks.
• Aims of the luncheon seminar with CCIJB: To raise the attention to activities of UNICEF Brazil from Japanese-related companies and increase funding opportunities. CCJIB contributes to giving the chance to edge information about Brazil from experts on the area to members.
• Place: San Paulo
• Date: 17th May 2024
• Contents: Youssouf will have a panel discussion about the topic of hunger and poverty and response to children.
• Participant: Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil,
• Supporter from UNICEF : Mami WAKABAYASHI

File： Flyer.pdf

Other Link： https://www.unicef.org/brazil/comunicados-de-imprensa/representante-do-unicef-participa-de-painel-da-camara-de-comercio-japonesa

Work type：Web Service  

This graph presents the comparative proportions of funding the multilateral development system. This system is either funded by contributions to multilateral agencies or as earmarked aid by multilateral agencies such as the World Health Organization. Contribution to multilateral agencies is core funding which multilateral agencies can use for their activities.

https://oda.ncgm.go.jp/results/oda3.html

Other Link： https://oda.ncgm.go.jp/en/results/oda3.html

Work type：Database science  

Official Development Assistance (ODA) is public funds used for international cooperation activities by governments and related agencies whose primary objective is the development of developing regions. Using the database of ODA funds in OECD Development Assistance Committee member countries, we have visualized the data of ODA in order to propose effective and strategic ways to contribute to assistance for global health.

Other Link： https://oda.ncgm.go.jp/en/results/oda2.html

Work type：Database science  

We will track and quantify the flow of aid funds, including the Official Development Assistance (ODA), in order to propose effective and strategic ways of contributing to and cooperating with international organizations and groups in the health sector, particularly those related to the eradication of infectious diseases. This flow chart aims to visualize what health areas and to what extent Official Development Assistance (ODA) in OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries since 2011. By switching the tabs, you can toggle the flow of health issues in the regions and countries where ODA is disbursed.
If you hover the cursor over each item or bar chart breakdown, only the flow that corresponds to the contribution in the relevant area will be highlighted.

Other Link： https://oda.ncgm.go.jp/en/results/oda.html

As a member of the advisory group of the Japanese delegation to the World Health Assembly (WHA), I participated in the meeting with the aim of contributing to global health policy.

File： A76_DIV1-en_加盟国の出席者リスト.pdf

Participated in an international working meeting to improve methods for jointly evaluating financial contributions to maternal, child, and newborn health, with experts from G7 and other like-minded countries.

The Bureau of International Health Cooperation organizes seminars for public organizations and private corporations/organizations regarding trends of health and medicine in developing countries.

File： tenkaiseminar202203_light.pdf

研究協力者として生活習慣病の地域格差の要因に関する研究（喫煙・飲酒）厚生労働科学研究費補助金（循環器疾患・糖尿病等生活習慣病対策総合研究事業）。

Audience： High school students

High school students will be invited from Super Global High School Network (SGHN) schools in the Kansai region, high schools in the Hokusetsu region, the Republic of Palau, Taiwan, and Pacific countries. They will hold workshops in a subcommittee format for each global social issue they have registered in advance, develop plans to solve the issues or realize a sustainable society, and present them in the form of an "action plan proposal."
As an advisor for the "Global Health" subcommittee, I will advise high school students.

File： 環太平洋高校生友好会議2024.pdf

Author：Other 

"UNICEF News" is a public relations magazine published four times a year, with approximately 380,000 copies per issue, aimed at UNICEF supporters in Japan. The Spring 2024 issue (published on April 1st) has the special topic of "immunization" and describes the details of "the global effort to return vaccination rates to the level before the COVID-19 pandemic (The Big Catch Up)." For example, I was interviewed about activities in UNICEF Brazil.

Author：Myself 

"UNICEF News" is a public relations magazine published four times a year, with approximately 380,000 copies per issue, aimed at UNICEF supporters in Japan. I contributed to a corner called "face," which introduces the work of Japanese employees in UNICEF.
https://unicefnews.jp/