Effects of Long-Term Comprehensive Health Education on the Elderly in a Japanese Village: Unnan Cohort Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how long-term biweekly participation in health education classes has affected the maintenance of independent lifestyle, care needs, and 10-year (125-month) mortality rates in Yoshida Village, where individuals among the community residents aged 58 years or older, participate in health education classes (Silver College). There were 1,013 people in total (male; n=456, 65.5±5.6y. and female; n=557, 71.5±9.5y.) on baseline in 1994. We examined participant gender, birth date and care needs in October 2004, degree of care needs, the first date when care needs became grade 2 or higher, the status of participation in Silver College, and date of death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the survival rates of the participants and non-participants at the end of the trial were 90% and 67%, respectively. Cox's proportional hazards regression model showed that adjusted hazard ratios for age were 1.125 (95% CI: 1.111-1.139) in all subjects, 1.115 (95% CI: 1.095-1.136) in males, and 1.138 (95% CI: 1.117-1.158) in females. Adjusted hazard ratios for participation in health education classes were 0.270 (95% CI: 0.172-0.423) in all subjects, 0.423 (95% CI: 0.228-0.787) in males, and 0.215 (95% CI: 0.112-0.412) in females. Long-term comprehensive health education classes for middle-aged to elderly people including lifestyle, exercise, diet, and hot spa bathing, even if conducted biweekly, may be effective in the prevention of long-term care needs.