Living alone is associated with an increased risk of institutionalization in older men: A follow-up study in Hamanaka Town of Hokkaido, Japan.

Aim: In order to clarify the risks of institutionalization or mortality among older adults living alone compared with those not living alone, we carried out a prospective study on older adults in Hamanaka Town in the far eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan.

Methods: All 978 community-dwelling residents aged 70-85 years in the town were chosen as study candidates between February and May of 2014. Written informed consent was obtained from 562 residents (57.

Influence of volunteer-led net step exercise class on older people's self-rated health in a depopulated town: A longitudinal study.

In a depopulated region where population aging is advancing, it is necessary to establish a method so local residents themselves can be actively involved in older people's health promotion. Net Step Exercise, a novel dual-task walking program, introduced residents to opportunities for physical activities and social participation without any health specialist support. In one depopulated town (Ikeda, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido, Japan), volunteer residents have held Net Step Exercise classes throughout the town since 2007.

Pneumococcal vaccination reduced the risk of acute otitis media: Cohort study.

Background: Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced to Japan in 2009, and after that invasive pneumococcal disease has gradually decreased. There are few data, however, on the effectiveness of PCV7 against acute otitis media (AOM) in Japan.

Methods: From 10 daycare centers in Sapporo, Japan, 614 parents participated in the survey.

Effect of a dual-task net-step exercise on cognitive and gait function in older adults.

Background And Purpose: Participation in generally recommended aerobics or strength exercises may be challenging for older adults. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the types and levels of physical activities suited for them to improve their cognitive and gait function and adherence to exercise programs. This has prompted efforts to identify exercises that require less physical strength and frequency of performance, while still offering cognitive and health benefits.

Effectiveness of influenza vaccine in children in day-care centers of Sapporo.

Background: We conducted a retrospective cohort study for evaluating the effectiveness of the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) among children aged 0-6 years in the 2011-2012 season in Sapporo City, Japan, because of scarce evidence.

Methods: From 10 day-care centers in Sapporo City, Japan, 629 parents participated in the study. Each parent of the subjects described whether a subject received TIV once or twice in the 2011-2012 season, as well as the exact dates of receiving TIV from records in a maternal and child health handbook marked by a pediatrician.