Lecture in memory of OGATA Koan now available for viewing

Tekijuku, the school where OGATA Koan, a physician and scholar of Dutch studies in the late Edo period, taught his students and practiced medicine, is the spiritual origin of the University of Osaka. Each year, around June 10, the anniversary of Koan’s death, a memorial service is held at the historic Tekijuku building, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, to showcase our latest research achievements.

This year's lecture was held on Monday, June 1 and featured a presentation entitled “The Behavioral Economics of Infectious Diseases” by OHTAKE Fumio, Specially Appointed Professor (Full-time) at the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, the University of Osaka.

In his lecture, Specially Appointed Professor OHTAKE explained the trade-offs between infectious disease control measures and socioeconomic activities, as well as approaches to addressing the “externalities” that contribute to the spread of infections, from the perspectives of financial incentives and information-based interventions (nudges). He also discussed the impact of public perceptions and rumors on vaccination behavior, using COVID-19 vaccines and rubella antibody testing as examples. Furthermore, he reflected on the challenges faced by OGATA Koan in promoting smallpox vaccination, drawing lessons for present-day public health communication.

A video recording of the lecture is now available. We hope you enjoy watching it.

Related link
The University of Osaka Tekijuku Commemoration Center
https://www.tekijuku.osaka-u.ac.jp/en