AstraZeneca and the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity entered into an industry–academia collaboration agreement to link research and measures addressing obesity disease with the promotion of public health. Their key initiatives will include promoting prevention, developing healthcare delivery systems and addressing gaps in understanding.
AstraZeneca entered into an agreement with the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity on industry–academia collaboration to promote public health in Japan through research into and measures addressing obesity disease. The agreement aims to promote measures addressing obesity disease and improve and enhance related systems, while advancing the initiative by coordinating the principles of both organisations.
Obesity is defined as a state involving the accumulation of adipose tissue and a BMI of 25 or higher. Obesity disease, meanwhile, is positioned as a condition involving 11 health disorders caused or associated with obesity, or a condition involving visceral fat accumulation that medically requires weight loss. A range of factors, including lifestyle, genetic, environmental and psychological factors, are said to be involved, and a critical lack of understanding may affect access to support.
The agreement's main areas include promoting prevention across the life course, developing healthcare delivery systems and improving access to appropriate medical care, disseminating and improving the quality of standard treatment through multidisciplinary collaboration, addressing gaps in understanding, and other collaborative initiatives. Shimomura (下村), chair of the society, and AstraZeneca's representative expressed their intention to continue promoting correct understanding and the development of a sustainable support environment.
In comments from the parties involved, Ichiro Shimomura (下村 伊一郎), chair of the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity, said that obesity disease should be viewed as a condition requiring medical intervention and expressed hope that the agreement would facilitate the sharing of knowledge and improve access to medical care. AstraZeneca's representative said the company would focus on advancing measures addressing obesity disease in Japan.