The future profile of health promotion and disease prevention in Japan: based on the study of seniors over age 75

Abstract

Objectives: One of the serious challenges for Japanese healthcare is the aging population. Analysis of health evaluation data, especially of the elderly over 75 years, is considered very important. In view of this prolonged life expectancy in Japan, our government started the new campaign of Healthy Japan 21, of which details are described, and also we will demonstrate the general profile of our perspective cohort study program concerning the new elder citizens in Japan.

Methods and results: Our group has started a health evaluation program for those apparently healthy new elder citizens over the age of 75. A ten-year cohort study is in progress, which is designed to accumulate health check-up data annually. The study collects information on physical well being, as well as information on the individual's lifestyle, and social, emotional and spiritual environment. Such health appraisal is of primary importance. Preliminary results will be demonstrated with their special implications in clinical and epidemiological significance. The degree of frailty of the individual was also carefully evaluated, so that we can learn about the QOL of the seniors in Japan.

Conclusions: At the present stage, we can only report a part of our study including the mental and spiritual environments of the individual. This kind of outcome study will give us some insights concerning the natural progress of frailty in the apparently healthy elderly.