Announcement of the 1st Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award Recipient: Recognizing Innovative Leaders in Health Policy

TOKYO, Feb. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI; Secretariat: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chair: Ryoji Noritake) is proud to announce the recipient of the 1st Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award. The announcement took place during HGPI's flagship event, the "Health Policy Summit 2025" in Tokyo on February 1, 2025. Established to promote innovation in health policy across the Asia-Pacific region, this award recognizes young leaders and organizations making exceptional contributions to health policy and practice.

Background

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award was established as part of HGPI's 20th-anniversary initiatives in 2024. Since its founding in 2004, HGPI has worked as an independent think tank with the mission of achieving citizen-centered health policy. This award reflects the vision and legacy of HGPI's Honorary Chairman for Life, Kiyoshi Kurokawa, who played a central role in launching and guiding the organization.

Kiyoshi Kurokawa has been instrumental in bringing together diverse stakeholders and providing policy options with a global perspective. His dedication to principles such as "independence," "non-partisan," and "feasibility" has earned HGPI recognition both in Japan and abroad. The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award embodies his commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders while creating a platform for global innovation in health policy.

About this award

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award was created to honor young leaders who are driving transformative changes in health policy. It seeks to amplify their impact, spreading their influence from the Asia-Pacific region to the global stage. The award celebrates individuals and organizations that demonstrate:

• Innovation: Developing novel approaches and solutions that challenge existing frameworks.
• Impact: Delivering measurable, positive outcomes for both local and global communities.
• Future Vision: Envisioning and working toward sustainable changes that address long-term challenges.

The selection process for this award was conducted with careful consideration, aligned with HGPI's philosophy of "achieving citizen-centered health policy." For this inaugural award, candidates from diverse backgrounds and fields, including those from Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, and Australia, were evaluated based on their innovation, regional and international impact, and exemplary leadership as role models for the next generation.

The 1st Recipient Dr. Renzo R. Guinto (Associate Professor, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI), Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore)

Dr. Renzo R. Guinto, MD, DrPH is a Filipino physician currently serving as Associate Professor at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI) at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. A global leader in climate and health, Dr. Guinto is widely recognized as a pioneer in the interdisciplinary field of planetary health. His groundbreaking work focuses on climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare systems, the mental health impacts of climate change, and the intersections between climate, migration, and health.

Comments

The Selection Committee highlighted Dr. Guinto's achievements in the following areas:

• Innovative Research and Policy Advocacy: Developing resilient and sustainable healthcare systems and addressing climate change's impacts on mental health, migration, and health equity.
• International Leadership: Serving in key advisory roles for the Philippines' Climate Change Commission, the World Health Organization's (WHO) advisory group on climate and health ethics, and several influential Lancet Commissions.
• Education and Network Building: Advancing planetary health education and research across the Asia-Pacific region and fostering collaboration between local communities and global stakeholders.

Kiyoshi Kurokawa, Member of the Selection Committee (Honorary Chairman for Life, HGPI):

"The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award represents a tangible step toward achieving our vision of citizen-centered health policy. This award celebrates the dedication of young leaders and organizations that are tackling regional and global challenges with innovation and sustainability. Dr. Guinto's work exemplifies the spirit of this award. As a 'pracademic,' he has effectively combined academic rigor with actionable policy advocacy, addressing the urgent issue of climate change. His leadership and commitment are truly inspiring.

It is also deeply meaningful that HGPI, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, has been able to establish such an award. This milestone reflects the growth of our organization and the invaluable support of our stakeholders. We have consistently promoted healthy debate and collaboration among diverse actors, and it is gratifying to see these efforts culminate in an initiative like the Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award.

HGPI will continue to serve as a platform for addressing global challenges in collaboration with civil society. I hope this award will encourage younger generations to bring new perspectives and actions that will shape the future of healthcare and society as a whole."

Ryoji Noritake, Chair of the Selection Committee (Chair, HGPI):

"The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award further embodies HGPI's mission to advance citizen-centered health policy. By recognizing and supporting young leaders and organizations, this award aims to promote innovation and drive progress toward a sustainable future in healthcare policy.

Dr. Renzo R. Guinto's contributions serve as an outstanding example of bridging academia and policy. His work not only addresses pressing regional issues but also shares valuable insights with the international community, creating ripple effects across borders. We hope this award inspires future leaders and reinforces the importance of collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Through this award, HGPI aspires to act as a hub for knowledge exchange among young professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. We aim to share Japan's accumulated expertise in health policy globally while incorporating international perspectives into domestic healthcare discussions. By fostering this two-way flow of knowledge, we hope to contribute to a healthier, more equitable world while continuing to promote healthy debate."

Future Prospects

The Kiyoshi Kurokawa Award aims to spotlight and amplify innovative initiatives from the Asia-Pacific region, sharing these efforts with the global community. By providing a platform for young leaders, HGPI hopes to advance sustainable health policy solutions worldwide while fostering international dialogue. This initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between Japan and the international community, enabling the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and new ideas to inform both global and domestic healthcare policy.