Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan
Abstract Objective Immigrants living in unstable conditions face challenges in improving their health. Research on the associations between health problems and lifestyle factors remains limited. We aimed to gather information on the health issues and lifestyles of immigrants experiencing financial i...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Research Notes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07321-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849335102866194432 |
|---|---|
| author | Haruka Ando Yoshitaka Nishino Noriko Aizawa Kyo Takahashi Akiyo Itagaki |
| author_facet | Haruka Ando Yoshitaka Nishino Noriko Aizawa Kyo Takahashi Akiyo Itagaki |
| author_sort | Haruka Ando |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Immigrants living in unstable conditions face challenges in improving their health. Research on the associations between health problems and lifestyle factors remains limited. We aimed to gather information on the health issues and lifestyles of immigrants experiencing financial instability while residing in Japan. Results A mixed-method approach was employed to collect data from participants attending a free health check-up organised by non-profit Organisation A and Hospital B in the Northern Kanto region. Among 41 participants, with unstable employment status, 18 young Asian adults consented to provide their health check-up results and participated in a questionnaire-based survey regarding their health and lifestyle changes before and after arriving in Japan. The changes of sleeping duration, exercise time, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and emotional state were analysed, and only sleeping duration was significantly decreased. The findings indicated a need for medical treatment, detailed examinations, and oral care, due to increased risks of non-communicable diseases and missing teeth. The respondents reported reduced sleep while some deteriorated physical exercise and emotional states at the present time. Three participants who consented to interviews discussed their lifestyle-related issues. Improved social policies and healthcare access, and social support for immigrants with unstable employment are needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7bd9cdb351504ea5915bc3df57d2e6fa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj-art-7bd9cdb351504ea5915bc3df57d2e6fa2025-08-20T03:45:24ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-07-011811910.1186/s13104-025-07321-0Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in JapanHaruka Ando0Yoshitaka Nishino1Noriko Aizawa2Kyo Takahashi3Akiyo Itagaki4International Development Center of Japan, IncJapan Center for International ExchangeFaculty of Nursing, Tokiwa UniversityInstitute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science TokyoFaculty of Nursing, Tokiwa UniversityAbstract Objective Immigrants living in unstable conditions face challenges in improving their health. Research on the associations between health problems and lifestyle factors remains limited. We aimed to gather information on the health issues and lifestyles of immigrants experiencing financial instability while residing in Japan. Results A mixed-method approach was employed to collect data from participants attending a free health check-up organised by non-profit Organisation A and Hospital B in the Northern Kanto region. Among 41 participants, with unstable employment status, 18 young Asian adults consented to provide their health check-up results and participated in a questionnaire-based survey regarding their health and lifestyle changes before and after arriving in Japan. The changes of sleeping duration, exercise time, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and emotional state were analysed, and only sleeping duration was significantly decreased. The findings indicated a need for medical treatment, detailed examinations, and oral care, due to increased risks of non-communicable diseases and missing teeth. The respondents reported reduced sleep while some deteriorated physical exercise and emotional states at the present time. Three participants who consented to interviews discussed their lifestyle-related issues. Improved social policies and healthcare access, and social support for immigrants with unstable employment are needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07321-0ImmigrantsUnstable employmentLow- and middle-income countriesHealth check-upNon-communicable diseasesMental health |
| spellingShingle | Haruka Ando Yoshitaka Nishino Noriko Aizawa Kyo Takahashi Akiyo Itagaki Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan BMC Research Notes Immigrants Unstable employment Low- and middle-income countries Health check-up Non-communicable diseases Mental health |
| title | Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan |
| title_full | Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan |
| title_short | Health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants: a report from a free health check-up at a hospital in Japan |
| title_sort | health problems and lifestyles of uninsured immigrants a report from a free health check up at a hospital in japan |
| topic | Immigrants Unstable employment Low- and middle-income countries Health check-up Non-communicable diseases Mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07321-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT harukaando healthproblemsandlifestylesofuninsuredimmigrantsareportfromafreehealthcheckupatahospitalinjapan AT yoshitakanishino healthproblemsandlifestylesofuninsuredimmigrantsareportfromafreehealthcheckupatahospitalinjapan AT norikoaizawa healthproblemsandlifestylesofuninsuredimmigrantsareportfromafreehealthcheckupatahospitalinjapan AT kyotakahashi healthproblemsandlifestylesofuninsuredimmigrantsareportfromafreehealthcheckupatahospitalinjapan AT akiyoitagaki healthproblemsandlifestylesofuninsuredimmigrantsareportfromafreehealthcheckupatahospitalinjapan |