Messages

The COVID-19 pandemic began at the end of 2019 rapidly escalated into a global crisis. This strained healthcare system worldwide slowed economic growth, increased unemployment, and disrupted educational opportunities.

Consequently, it has been highlighted the significant influences of pandemic on social, economic, and contextual factors. Traditionally, infectious disease research has focused on the individual infectious disease, examining the relationship between microorganisms and hosts. However, infectious diseases must be recognized as “social diseases” rather than merely personal illnesses, necessitating the inclusion of social science in future infectious disease research alongside conventional life science and medical approaches. Addressing these challenges requires research at a broader academic level that integrates interdisciplinary fields.

The center brings together professionals from various fields, leveraging the convergence of knowledge fostered at Osaka Metropolitan University(OMU), where the interdisciplinary study of the “macro-infectious diseases” is practiced in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Institute of Public Health, and private companies.

We are committed to addressing the challenges of “metropolitan health” by implementing effective infection control strategies tailored to the needs of people in Osaka.

We provide scientific evidence to support infection control efforts in Osaka from a global perspective and, more broadly, at domestic and international levels. Furthermore, we also aim to cultivate skilled professionals with advanced knowledge and techniques to enhance infection control efforts.

Hiroshi Kakeya, MD, PhD
Head of OIRCID

Osaka Public University is Japan's largest public comprehensive university, established in April 2022 through the merger of Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University, both of which have over 140 years of history and tradition. The university offers 15 graduate schools across a wide range of academic fields, including humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, and medical and life sciences, with advanced specialized knowledge accumulated in each field. In today's borderless global society, addressing complex and multifaceted social issues—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—requires collaboration among researchers from diverse specialized fields. It demands efforts to identify the core issues from a multifaceted and holistic perspective and to develop fundamental solutions.

The OIRCID was established as a research hub where experts from various fields at the university come together to collaborate with government and private sectors to examine and propose comprehensive approaches to infectious disease control. In addition to strengthening public health measures in Osaka and cultivating specialized talent, we aim to contribute to the construction of a sustainable and well-being future society from an international perspective. As part of the “urban think tank function” expected of our university, we strive to fulfill this role as a research hub.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Hiroyuki Sakuragi
President