Health Promotion
Concept of Health Promotion
Health is an asset to each individual, and the health of employees is an asset to the company. SII believes it is essential to have a system where all employees can work with peace of mind, maintaining good mental and physical health, and an environment where each employee can demonstrate their abilities. In addition to regular health checkups and specific health guidance, we have been conducting an engagement survey across the Seiko Group, of which SII is a member, starting in FY2022. This survey serves as an indicator of employee job satisfaction, and we are promoting health management initiatives based on the results.
In March 2024, SII was certified as a Corporation with Excellent Health Management 2024. SII will continue to support activities that maintain and promote employee health and build a healthy work environment.
Various Medical Examinations and Health Services
Regular Health Checkups
To facilitate early detection and treatment of illness, our regular health checkups include gastric cancer screening using a combined gastric cancer risk stratification test and barium swallow test, and prostate cancer screening for men. In FY2015, we introduced new uric acid and creatinine tests, and in FY2017, we added a new heart failure risk test. We aim to provide highly accurate checkups and will continue to review and introduce effective tests.
Results from regular health checkups have indicated a high ratio of blood pressure, lipids, and other metrics exceeding the standards. In response, we have implemented a plan to offer healthy set menus in collaboration with cafeteria operators, starting with the Akita Unit in FY2019 and gradually expanding to other sites in FY2020.
Additionally, the My Health Report is distributed to employees over 40 years old. This report includes a health ranking using big data from subcontractors, highly individualized advice, original guidance on diet and exercise, and other content for lifestyle improvement, all tailored to the individual. We will continue to provide information to help employees proactively improve their lifestyles.
Specified Health Examination and Specified Health Guidance
In FY2023, we continued to focus on combatting metabolic syndrome and providing specific health guidance for individuals aged 40 and over. Based on the results of regular health checkups, occupational physicians and nurses offered health guidance, instructing employees on how to make practical lifestyle improvements. The results of these efforts are gradually becoming evident.
In FY2023, the total rate of specified health checkups for insured persons and their dependents was 89.0%, and the rate of specified health guidance was 15.2%.*1 Although these rates fell short of the national reference standard, we will continue to promote these efforts to meet or exceed the standard.
*1 Estimated value as of September 2024.
Dental Health Service
We have been conducting dental examinations to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Since FY2020, we have switched to using periodontal disease diagnosis kits mailed to employees to prevent infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. In FY2023, 402 employees underwent these examinations. We will continue this practice to emphasize the importance of periodontal disease prevention to as many employees as possible.
In addition, to encourage employees to proactively visit dental clinics, we began offering free dental checkups in cooperation with a dental checkup agency in FY2022. In FY2023, 12 employees received these checkups. We will continue this program so that numerous employees can receive effective brushing guidance and early dental treatment.
Preventing Cancer in Women
Although cervical cancer screening by self-collected cytology test was discontinued in FY2020 to prioritize safety, we are introducing a mailed cervical cancer risk test (HPV test) in FY2024 to encourage appropriate gynecological examinations. As before, subsidies for cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings at external medical institutions and gynecological examinations during physical checkups will remain available. We will continue to undertake initiatives to protect women's health.
Regular Health Checkups
In the regular health checks, gastric cancer risk screenings combined with barium inspection as well as cancer prevention screenings intended for detecting prostate cancer for men and cervical cancer for women are carried out with the aim of early detection and treatment. Blood analysis for uric acid and creatinine was introduced in FY 2015, and risk tests for cerebral infarction and heart failure were newly introduced in FY 2017. Cervical cancer screening (uterine cytology self-collection method) was abolished in FY 2020 after a change in national guidelines, and currently the use of the subsidiary aid system and comprehensive medical checkups is recommended. To provide accurate medical exams, effective exams will be introduced while reviews are carried out.
The results of regular health checks showed that the percentage of employees exceeding standards for blood pressure, lipids, and other factors tended to be high. With the cooperation of cafeteria operators, we drew up plans to provide Healthy Set Meals to encourage employees to think about their dietary habits. In FY 2019 this initiative was implemented at the Akita unit, and since FY 2020, we have been gradually expanding the program to other sites.
In addition, My Health Report is distributed to employees aged 40 and older. My Health Report is a single document designed just for the recipient that combines health rankings using big data maintained by subcontractors, highly individualized advice, and lifestyle improvement content including original meal and exercise prescriptions. Going forward, SII will provide information that employees themselves can proactively use to improve their lifestyles.
Health Enhancement with Family
May 2022, we launched KENPOS, a health promotion system designed for both employees and their dependents. KENPOS allows employees and their dependents to read nutrition and health columns, exercise, and reflect on their daily lives, encouraging them to take charge of their own health. Walking events using the KENPOS smartphone app have been well received and are ongoing. As a new initiative within KENPOS, we have added events that foster interest in health beyond exercise, such as continuous input of weight measurement records and answers to health-related quizzes. As a result, 423 people participated in KENPOS events during the year.
Some sites have resumed walking events, offering employees a fun opportunity to engage in health-promoting activities together with their families and coworkers. The number of participants is gradually increasing.
Women's Health
In September, a video on health issues specific to women was distributed. The content, which was supervised by a gynecologist, was intended to help improve women's health and promote understanding and support throughout the workplace, to which end, male employees were also encouraged to watch the videos.
Smoking Cessation Measures
To support smoking cessation, we offered an online smoking cessation program and distributed videos on the health risks of smoking.
Fall Prevention Measures
For the first time, a fall prevention assessment session was held on the day of flu vaccinations at the Takatsuka and Ohno units. The goal is to prevent falls by assessing current physical balance and muscle strength. A total of 169 participants from both units took part in the event.
Health Counseling
SII provides a 24-hour consultation service for health counseling by cooperating with an external specialist agency.
In FY 2020, in response to the increase in the number of employees working from home, we stablished a system that allows remote interviews for health consultation and health guidance with occupational physicians and nurses.
