Introduction

Sukoyaka (meaning "healthy and happy" in Japanese) Family 21 is the vision to clarify issues both pending and new, and to present major initiatives to be taken in the 21^st century concerning the issue of maternal and child health building on achievements made to date. It is a national campaign, which is to be jointly promoted by the various parties and organizations concerned after having established certain objectives for each of the issues.

Sukoyaka Family 21 acts as a measure to address the declining birth rate, and to form the basis for an environment giving birth to children that is free from anxiety and in which, parents can a raise their children in good health; in addition to this,Sukoyaka Family 21 will play a part in the national health care campaign, Health Japan 21 (Kenko Nippon 21). This is a campaign that aims to create a society in which people can live happy and in good health in an aging society with a declining birth rate.

In February 2000, a committee was organized comprised of various specialists. It established four major agenda items on maternal and child health issues, which include:
1) Stepping up health care measures and promoting health care education for the adolescents;
2) Assuring safety and comfort during pregnancy and childbirth, and supporting infertility;
3) Maintaining and improving the standards of child health care and medical services, and
4) Promoting trouble-free mental development of children and alleviating anxiety about child rearing. These reports are the result of discussions at nine committee meetings, held over a period of approximately nine months.

Based on these reports and the basic principles of health promotion, we expect to see people, local public entities, Government, related specialized agencies and commercial organizations working together on national campaigns for the purpose of realizing "healthy parents and children" in the 21^st century. Our public hygiene strategy is represented by the basic principles of health promotion. Its key pillar objective is to increase the ability of individuals to improve their own health and to prevent disease based on their own judgment, control disorders and chronic diseases, and to create a community environment that supports the health of its residents.

Contents

Introduction

Conclusion