Increasingly, the metabolic syndrome (central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension) is becoming a major non-communicable public health challenge worldwide, which is a complex and multifactorial, but a largely preventable disease.

Since 2008, the Japanese government has been combating the metabolic syndrome by implementing mandatory annual health screening. Currently the program targets employees over 40 years of age. However, thus far, the public has been slow to embrace the program, which has significantly limited the effectiveness of government’s efforts. The initiative has also suffered from the limited availability of corporate physicians and occupational health nurses, who are on the front lines in the battle against the metabolic syndrome. Population, which is currently in the ‘moderate’ risk category, are particularly vulnerable to be overlooked.

To address these challenges, we have developed a program that aims to maximize the effectiveness of government’s efforts by directly targeting the motivation gap between consumers and providers of healthcare. We aim to accomplish this by presenting health data including risk prediction models and strategies to improve outcomes in a way that is personally relevant to consumers, thereby encouraging the public to become educated participants in their healthcare.