Introduction of JSHMS

The Japanese Society of Health and Medical Sociology was founded as an academically accredited society in 1989, based on the Society for Study of Health & Medical Sociology launched in 1974.
Our primary mission is to promote sociological studies of "health" and "medicine".

"Health" and "medicine" are not merely biological and medical phenomena, but also important sociological phenomena that are promoted by society and controlled by society. There are ethical and social problems about advanced medical technology, various social phenomena which cause health damage, the prosperity of health boom and health industry, health inequalities, and problems of lives with chronic illness. The health and medical sociology addresses such problems.

The communication and cooperation between the sociologists interested in health and medicine and the medical researchers and clinicians who have the proper understanding of sociological viewpoints are indispensable to push forward these studies. Our society has developed as an important place of the mutual interchange among these researchers and clinicians. We have approximately 700 members. Sociology, nursing science, and health science/medical science/other studies occupy each one-third of our member's specialty domains.

Sociological analyses are needed to address many problems over "health" and "medicine". We welcome the active participation in our society of people interested in health and medical problems.

Outlook

Chair	Masahiko Kaneko
Num. of Members	695 at 31 Mar. 2023
Office	Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
関連団体	Cooperative science and research bodies of Science Council of Japan (SCJ) Member of Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies