| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Purpose of this study is to examine the association between the social determinants of health and healthy longevity in Japan, focusing on positive psychological factors and social relations. We conducted both international collaborative research using large-scale prospective cohort studies in Japan, UK and Finland, and conducted small-scale observational and intervention studies in Japan. The results revealed that socioeconomic factors including relative and absolute deprivations, in early childhood and middle to old age are associated with increased risk of development of disease and death in old age. Furthermore, as part of this structure and mechanism, the social relational environment, which includes social relations, social capital and both human and physical factors, affects health. Moreover, we reported that positive psychological factors such as a sense of purpose in life and laughter show a protective association with health.
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