Erika Kobayashi, Ph.D.
Our goal is to achieve a society where older adults can enjoy their lives and contribute to creating a sustainable community by obtaining social connections and roles. To achieve this goal, we are studying the social participation and contributions of older adults and the promotion of healthy aging and social relationships that support their participation and contributions. People before elderly age are also targeted to study social participation suitable for the next generation and intergenerational support.
The theme of "Promoting Participation and Contribution to Society" aims to present ideal styles of social participation/contribution in a lifespan of 100 years, focusing on the promotion of social activities and prevention of early cognitive decline.
The second theme of "Healthy Aging Research" focuses on the construction of a social system to promote healthy aging by primary prevention of frailty and dementia. In addition to epidemiological research on the three main components of frailty prevention, "exercise, nutrition, and social participation", based on multiple long-term longitudinal cohorts, social implementation is valued.
The third theme, "Social Relationships in Metropolitan Areas", aims to build social connections that meet the needs of middle-aged and older adults in urban areas, by focusing on prevention of social isolation and creating places for resident interactions. Differences in social relationships and related factors across periods and regions are also examined using a nationwide long-term longitudinal study among older Japanese (JAHEAD/NSJE).
The research results will help the national and local governments to develop policies.
