The leader from a Japanese ageing research group circulated this news to his group, 'Please read the newspaper article published by Prof Kawachi (= a social epidemiologist in the US)!'
His published newspaper article can be read via online -- only if you pay subscription to it. When I discovered this, I said to this leader, 'I am not living in Japan and am not subscribed to this newspaper. How could I read this article?'
In the end I decided to subscribe to the Japanese newspaper to read Kawachi's article. But I thought it was odd. His article is about social inequalities in ageing health. Why should we pay to read this? How unequal? Besides it was written in Japanese (please note that Kawachi can speak/write in Japanese as fluently as English). Non- Japanese speaking people - most of my English friends are - are unable to understand what he said.
So, I decided to share his story, at least his main points, with you.
* He thinks social structure can affect individual health.
He gave an example of ageing health in US. There are two types of social welfare services in the US which are for over 65 (=Medicare) as well as national pension (=social security). Despite this, this service is not enough, given some older adults are forced or work or many declare bankruptcy because of medical expenses. Interestingly, US people pay more medical care than any other people in countries, yet their life expectancy is lower than them.
*He thinks stress plays a role.
He said that individuals with low income or social status are likely to experience high levels of stress.
*He suggests social cohesion can reduce social inequalities in health. Please note that social cohesion is my word choice over Kawachi's 'social capital'.
He pointed out examples from Chicago US and Aichi Japan. Rich social contacts within communities are related to longevity of older adults.
So what do you say? Do you agree?
Next time, I will introduce the example from Aichi Japan.
His published newspaper article can be read via online -- only if you pay subscription to it. When I discovered this, I said to this leader, 'I am not living in Japan and am not subscribed to this newspaper. How could I read this article?'
In the end I decided to subscribe to the Japanese newspaper to read Kawachi's article. But I thought it was odd. His article is about social inequalities in ageing health. Why should we pay to read this? How unequal? Besides it was written in Japanese (please note that Kawachi can speak/write in Japanese as fluently as English). Non- Japanese speaking people - most of my English friends are - are unable to understand what he said.
So, I decided to share his story, at least his main points, with you.
* He thinks social structure can affect individual health.
He gave an example of ageing health in US. There are two types of social welfare services in the US which are for over 65 (=Medicare) as well as national pension (=social security). Despite this, this service is not enough, given some older adults are forced or work or many declare bankruptcy because of medical expenses. Interestingly, US people pay more medical care than any other people in countries, yet their life expectancy is lower than them.
*He thinks stress plays a role.
He said that individuals with low income or social status are likely to experience high levels of stress.
*He suggests social cohesion can reduce social inequalities in health. Please note that social cohesion is my word choice over Kawachi's 'social capital'.
He pointed out examples from Chicago US and Aichi Japan. Rich social contacts within communities are related to longevity of older adults.
So what do you say? Do you agree?
Next time, I will introduce the example from Aichi Japan.
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