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

Rikuya Hosokawa, Toshiyuki Ojima, Tomoya Myojin, Jun Aida, Katsunori Kondo and Naoki Kondo
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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
Katsunori Kondo: Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Naoki Kondo: Department of Health and Social Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-16

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.

Keywords: life expectancy; healthy life expectancy; Sullivan method; healthcare resources; secondary medical area; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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