Demonstrating "Looks Healthy" with Data: An Evaluation Approach for Health Policies Using Medical Data

Japan System Techniques Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and President: Taku Hirabayashi; hereinafter "JAST") conducted an effectiveness verification using medical data for food policies implemented by local governments.

In this initiative, JAST utilized its medical big data "REZULT" (*1) to analyze a local government that introduced Toyo Rice Co., Ltd.'s "Kinmemai" (*2). The approach of using medical data to evaluate "Kinmemai" in this initiative was materialized through the idea and proposal of Associate Professor Takahiro Adachi (*3) of the Department of Un-disease Control, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology. Under the supervision of the Associate Professor, JAST attempted to capture the trends in medical expenses and prevalence rates before and after the introduction of "Kinmemai" for specific groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and elementary and junior high school students, based on medical data.

While caution is required in interpreting the results due to the limited number of subjects and relatively short period, certain insights are being gained. Detailed analysis results regarding the effectiveness of "Kinmemai" introduction are planned to be announced again once they are organized.

Background

In recent years, health policies in local governments have been required to objectively verify their effectiveness and link them to subsequent policy improvements, against the backdrop of social issues such as the advancement of a super-aging society, increasing medical expenses, and the rise of lifestyle-related diseases.

In such circumstances, while the concept of EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making) is spreading, there is a challenge that specific methods and common approaches for third-party evaluation using medical data are not necessarily organized at the local government policy implementation sites.

Based on this understanding of the issues, JAST has worked to organize and materialize evaluation approaches for local government policies, leveraging its knowledge of medical big data utilization cultivated in fields such as insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and academia.

Features of this Initiative

・Evaluation design based on the characteristics of the target group

It is possible to flexibly switch the points of focus for evaluation according to the characteristics of each target life stage, such as pregnant women, newborns, and elementary and junior high school students.

・Confirmation of the validity of the evaluation approach under the supervision of university researchers

Under the supervision of Associate Professor Takahiro Adachi of the Department of Un-disease Control, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, the validity of the evaluation concept and analysis design was confirmed, and the approach to third-party evaluation using medical data was materialized.

It should be noted that the supervision by Associate Professor Takahiro Adachi in this initiative was aimed at incorporating appropriate knowledge, as he has research achievements related to "Kinmemai."

・Horizontally deployable evaluation concept contributing to EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making)

This initiative verified a specific food product, but it is positioned as a concept applicable to other health policies and local government initiatives, as an example of utilizing medical data for evaluation by combining it with other information and elements.

Future Outlook

This initiative demonstrates the potential to utilize medical data as a clue to grasp the effects of health policies implemented by companies and local governments, without limiting medical big data to commercial use or research purposes.

When comprehensively understanding various initiatives such as corporate activities and local government policies, it is envisioned to utilize this approach for "advancing EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making)" and "initiatives for data-driven decision-making" by analyzing and evaluating from medical data as a starting point, combined with other information and elements.

Going forward, while considering further collaboration with stakeholders such as companies, local governments, and experts, JAST will continue to explore the possibilities of creating new value and sustainable business models by understanding policies and initiatives from the perspective of medical data.

Through these efforts to utilize medical data, JAST will provide reference perspectives to support decision-making in corporate activities and local government policies, and contribute to solving social issues in the healthcare field.

*1 About "REZULT"

It is one of the industry's largest medical big databases, consisting of medical and pharmacy claims data (anonymized claims data for which secondary use permission has been obtained from health insurance associations, etc.), including DPC (a comprehensive evaluation system for medical fees targeting acute inpatient medical care). It is data capable of aggregating patient numbers, medical expenses, etc., based on attribute information such as gender, age group, and medical institution area, and is excellent for effectiveness verification, various research, and marketing.

*2 About "Kinmemai"

"Kinmemai" is rice that is delicious and highly digestible, while retaining the nutrients of brown rice, which are sources of vitamins and minerals, thanks to Toyo Rice Co., Ltd.'s unique processing technology.

*3 Associate Professor Takahiro Adachi

Department of Un-disease Control, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology