News

From late September 2025, Associate Professor Ayako Hiyoshi (Örebro University, Sweden) and Senior Research Fellow Jess Bone (University College London, UK) joined the Kondo Lab at Kyoto University as visiting scholars to advance ongoing collaborative projects.

Both scholars participated in the weekly lab seminars, where they provided insightful feedback on students’ research progress and shared valuable international perspectives on social epidemiology and population health.

Each scholar also delivered a special lecture presenting their latest research and methodological approaches shaping the field of global social epidemiology:

• September 29 – Associate Professor Ayako Hiyoshi
  “Health Consequences of Life Events – On Family Members and Patients’ Subsequent Life”

• October 20 – Senior Research Fellow Jess Bone
  “Social, Cultural, and Community Participation and Health”

These lectures offered fresh insights into how social and cultural contexts influence health outcomes, enriching discussions within the lab and fostering new ideas for international collaboration.

On October 24, the Kondo Lab held a appreciation reception to celebrate their visit and express appreciation for their contributions.

Moving forward, the lab will continue strengthening research ties with both scholars, deepening international collaboration in social epidemiology and public health.

Profiles:
Associate Professor Ayako Hiyoshi (Örebro University, Sweden)
Senior Research Fellow Jess Bone (University College London, UK)

For more details on Associate Professor Hiyoshi’s lecture at Kyoto University SPH on October 7, please see the link below (In Japanese).
SPH International Lecture Information

Professor Naoki Kondo and Assistant Professor Hiroshi Habu of Kyoto University have co-authored a new book titled “Studying Psychosocial Determinants of Aging: Methodological Contributions,” published by the Spanish academic publisher Editorial Tirant Lo Blanch in collaboration with the ARMAQoL Research Group at the University of Valencia, Spain.

This book compiles the latest methodological insights in aging research, focusing on psychology and social epidemiology. It consists of the following four chapters:

1. Data Harmonization in the Study of Healthy Aging
2. Cognition Among Older Adults: Contributions to its Measurement and Analysis
3. Identification and Role of Social Networks on Aging
4. Public Health Notes on the Ontology of Cultural Capital

The chapter “Public Health Notes on the Ontology of Cultural Capital,” co-authored by Assistant Professor Habu and Professor Kondo, explores the conceptual foundations of cultural capital in public health, highlighting its potential applications for future research and interventions.

The book is available in open access, allowing anyone to read it freely online.

Publication Information:
Kondo, N., Martínez Gregorio, S., Habu, H., Torres, Z., Sánchez Niubó, A., Oliver, A., & Fernández, I. (2025). Studying Psychosocial Determinants of Aging: Methodological Contributions. Editorial Tirant Lo Blanch.
ISBN: 978-84-10814-257

Read the full text here
(If direct access is not available, click “ACCEDER A TIRANT OPEN ACCESS” on the page and search for the book title.)

Join us for a public webinar hosted by Ending Loneliness Together to mark the launch of the WHO Commission on Social Connection Report.

🗓 Date: Friday, July 11th, 2025
🕛 Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (Japan) | 12:00–1:00 PM (AEST)
🌐 Location: Online (register here)

This webinar will explore key findings from the new WHO report and their implications for the Western Pacific region.

Professor Naoki Kondo, member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group (Japan), will join the expert panel to discuss how this report can inform and support Japan’s national efforts to address loneliness and social isolation.

The video of the international symposium “Art, Connection, and Well-Being: Exploring the Social Value of Culture” held on June 4 is now available on our website.
Please click the link below to view the video.
We would be very happy if those who were able to attend the symposium as well as those who were not able to attend could view the video.
【Center for Art Communication and Co-Creation to Create an Inclusive Society】Please visit HOME>ARCHIVE>動画

We are pleased to announce that the sessions from the recent Nature Conference “Breaking Barriers or Gender and Health Equity Through Research” are now available on-demand. Professor Naoki Kondo participated in this important event and presented a lecture on “Gender Differences in the Impacts of Social Determinants of Health” during  Session VI: Sex and Gender in Clinical Trials and Health Research.

If you missed any of the sessions or believe this event would be valuable for a colleague, you can still access the content on-demand.
Click here for more details: Nature Conferences: Access the Event On-Demand.

Thank you, Professor Naoki Kondo, for your continued support in advancing gender and health equity research.

For three days, March 14, 15, and 18, 2024, a workshop on “Community Assessment” was held at the Kyoto University School of Public Health (KUSPH).
This workshop was held in by inviting the officers from the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office and the WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Center), and we also invited two people from Brunei Darussalam, one from the Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam and another from the University of Brunei Darussalam. There were also approximately 15 participants, including students and faculty members, from KUSPH who participated in this workshop.
On March 19, 2024, together with two invited guests from Brunei Darussalam and an officer from the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, to learn their activities of utilizing data from a “Community Assessment” conducted by Kita Ward, Nagoya City.

For more information, please check below.
KUSPH News
“Community Assessment” Workshop was Held and Colleague from Brunei Darussalam were Invited
Visited Nagoya City Kita Ward Office to Learn Their Activities on Utilizing Data from a “Community Assessment”

WHO Kobe Centre News
WKC contributes to Brunei Darussalam study tour in Japan