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Associations between Healthcare Resources and Healthy Life Expectancy: A Descriptive Study across Secondary Medical Areas in Japan

Author

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  • Rikuya Hosokawa

    (Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan)

  • Toshiyuki Ojima

    (Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan)

  • Tomoya Myojin

    (Department of Public Health, Health Management and Policy, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8521, Japan)

  • Jun Aida

    (Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
    Division for Regional Community Development, Liaison Center for Innovative Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan)

  • Katsunori Kondo

    (Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
    Center for Well-being and Society, Nihon Fukushi University, Aichi 470-3295, Japan
    Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan)

  • Naoki Kondo

    (Department of Health and Social Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
    Department of Health Education and Health Sociology, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan)

Abstract

Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world. However, this does not guarantee an improved quality of life. There is a gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. This study aimed to reveal the features of healthy life expectancy across all secondary medical areas ( n = 344) in Japan and examine the relationship among healthcare resources, life expectancy, and healthy life expectancy at birth. Data were collected from Japan’s population registry and long-term insurance records. Differences in healthy life expectancy by gender were calculated using the Sullivan method. Maps of healthy life expectancy were drawn up. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used for analysis. The findings revealed significant regional disparities. The number of doctors and therapists, support clinics for home healthcare facilities and home-visit treatments, and dentistry expenditure per capita were positively correlated with life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (correlation coefficients > 0.2). They also revealed gender differences. Despite controlling for population density, inequalities in healthy life expectancy were observed, highlighting the need to promote social policies to reduce regional disparities. Japanese policymakers should consider optimal levels of health resources to improve life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. The geographical distribution of healthcare resources should also be reconstituted.

Suggested Citation

  • Rikuya Hosokawa & Toshiyuki Ojima & Tomoya Myojin & Jun Aida & Katsunori Kondo & Naoki Kondo, 2020. "Associations between Healthcare Resources and Healthy Life Expectancy: A Descriptive Study across Secondary Medical Areas in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6301-:d:406053
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Mingyue Wen & Liao Liao & Yilin Wang & Xunzhi Zhou, 2022. "Effects of Healthcare Policies and Reforms at the Primary Level in China: From the Evidence of Shenzhen Primary Care Reforms from 2018 to 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-19, February.
    3. Michael Polemis & Thanasis Stengos, 2022. "Life expectancy during the Covid-19 pandemic: A semi-parametric difference-in-differences analysis," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(2), pages 360-371.

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