Summary
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.
Keywords
Aging of population - Healthy Japan 21 - health promotion - new elder citizen - frailty
