A Comparative Study of Future Plans of Hansen's Disease Sanatoria from the Viewpoint of District Characteristics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02125
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08010:Sociology-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: SHIROMOTO Rumi 弘前大学, 人文社会科学部, 教授 (60302014)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ハンセン病 / 療養所 / 将来構想 / 地域特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Future plans of Hansen’s disease sanatoria are affected significantly by characteristics of the district such as the distance from the center of the district and the traffic networks. In order for future plans to be realized, indispensable are active commitments of the autonomy and active key figures, as well as merits of the location and the local economy.
COVID-19 overshadowed the administration of sanatoria as institutions for senior citizens. Cancellation of regular events or exchange with outside people led to decline the QOL of patients, and the realization of future plans has been stagnant.

Free Research Field

社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本各地に点在する療養所の将来構想を地域特性という視座からとらえることによって、地域特有の課題が検討できた。療養所と地域社会のつながりや今後の関わり方は、とくに高齢化・過疎化が進む地域における新たな「地域づくり」や雇用創出のモデルケースにもなりうる。コロナ禍という経験は、グローバル化が進む社会における「病と社会」のありかたについて問い、ハンセン病療養所の歴史やその教訓をあらためて考えさせるものとなった。