Smart Wellness City - New Healthy Community Movements in Japan ( breakout presentation )

Abstract

Background Japan is now heading toward a population decrease and a highly aging society. The elderly population over 65 years old will exceed 40% by 2055. Medical and social welfare cost is skyrocketing. The nationwide automobile dependency established over the past half a century resulted in the low-density sprawl to wide suburban areas and hollowing out of the downtown area. Now, Japan is facing serious mobility problems, especially among the elderly who cannot continue to drive. Although the fatal traffic accidents in Japan decreased to less than a quarter of the peak in 1970, the elderly casualties are increasing to more than half of the total traffic death. Description of Program A new community revitalization program called Smart Wellness City (SWC) was started by a group of mayors and academics in 2009. The main purpose of the program is to build a city where walkability is the central theme in order to enable citizens live healthier and happier. Factors to realize SWC are: Provision of public traffic infrastructures including walkways, natural trails, bikeways and public transit to reduce car dependency; Restructuring of urban form toward compact cities where people can interact to create social capital; Increasing health literacy of all citizens through community fitness programs involving outdoor activities (population approach); and objective evaluation scheme to assess the result based on the data analysis with comprehensive health/medical evidence. Outcomes Now the member municipalities have increased to 62. Many of these municipalities proved the effectiveness of SWC program especially among elderly citizens. They are enjoying the benefits of delaying frailty in both physical and mental level, and enhancing the restored community spirits. Other important benefits of SWC are the cost savings in health care sectors, and revitalization of downtown activities including commercial sales increase. Implications The success of SWC influences the formation of a new program called Smart Wellness Community in 2015 including national and local governments, private industries and academia to further expand the movement to nationwide level. It will become a model for many countries to cope with problems caused by the increase of aging population.