Dear SSJ Forum members,

NBR's Center for Health and Aging recently sat down for a Q&A with Dr. Francesco Checchi (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) about the health implications that Japan faces from the recent tsunami and the ongoing nuclear crisis in Fukushima. Dr. Checchi is an expert on infectious disease surveillance and control in crisis-affected populations.

In the interview, Dr. Checchi explains that Japan is much better placed to respond to this disaster than other countries that have endured similar crises, but health concerns are still prevalent, with one of the most urgent being to monitor the mental health and stress levels of the survivors.

Questions Dr. Checchi discusses include Japan's most urgent health concerns following the quake, the long and short-term risks associated with radiation exposure, and what measures should Japan take to facilitate physical and mental health wellness for those affected by the tragedy. Links to the full interview are below:

"Health Implications in the Aftermath of Japan's
Crisis: Mental Health, Radiation Risks, and the Importance of Continued Surveillance"

An interview with Dr. Francesco Checchi, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Link: http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=129

Related Resources on Japan's Quake Relief and Recovery

"The Military Foundations of U.S. Disaster Assistance in Japan," - An interview with Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, former commander of U.S. Pacific Command
http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=127

"Japan's Post-Quake Economic Outlook" - An Interview with William W.
Grimes, National Asia Research Associate
http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=126

"After the Quake: Implications for Japan's Political Future" - An Interview with Daniel Sneider, National Asia Research Associate
http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=124

Chronology of Operation Tomodachi - Read a full account of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. Armed Forces operation currently supporting disaster relief efforts in Japan, including PACOM Commander Admiral Robert Willard's trip to Japan.
http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=121

Recent NBR research on Japan (Free to access through April 15, 2011)

"A New Stage for the U.S.-Japan Alliance?" by Kenneth B. Pyle, Michael Finnegan, Michael J. Green, Kent E. Calder, Andrew L.
Oros and Yuki
Tatsumi
Link:
http://www.nbr.org/publications/element.aspx?id=447

"Managing Unmet Expectations in the U.S.-Japan Alliance" by Michael Finnegan
Link:
http://www.nbr.org/publications/element.aspx?id=405

"Updating the U.S.-Japan Alliance," an interview with Mike Finnegan, Richard Lawless, and Jim Thomas
Link: http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=77

Tracy Timmons-Gray
The National Bureau of Asian Research
Seattle, Washington