Association between social participation and hypertension among older people in Japan: the JAGES Study

Abstract

Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the world. Although previous studies have focused on individual-level behavioral risk factors associated with hypertension, there has been little research on how interacting with others, that is social participation, affects hypertension. To address this research gap, this study examined the association between social participation and hypertension in Japan, a country with a high prevalence of hypertension possibly linked to rapid population aging. Data were used from 4582 participants aged more than 65 years who participated in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Survey (JAGES) with blood pressure data collected during a health checkup. The frequency of participation in vertical organizations (characterized by hierarchical relationships) and horizontal organizations (characterized by non-hierarchical, egalitarian relationships) was measured by a questionnaire. In a Poisson regression analysis, participation in vertical organizations was not associated with hypertension, whereas participation in horizontal organizations at least once a month was inversely associated with hypertension (prevalence ratio: 0.941). This association remained significant after adjusting for social support variables, although further adjustment for health behaviors attenuated the association. As the frequency of going out and average time spent walking were both associated with hypertension, physical activity may be a possible pathway that connects social participation and hypertension. The results of this study suggest that expanding social participation programs, especially those involving horizontal organizations, may be one way to promote better health among older people in Japan.

Social participation and the onset of hypertension among the middle‐aged and older population: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

“…The inverse association between social participation and hypertension observed in this study was in line with Yazawa et al , who showed in their cross‐sectional study in Japan that participating in horizontal organizations (i.e. groups that are characterized by non‐hierarchical, egalitarian relationships among group members; volunteer, sport and hobby groups in their study) once a month or more frequently was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension among the Japanese older population (aged ≥ 65 years) . As we used information on similar types of community organizations/activities (e.g.…”

“…For example, Yazawa et al showed that participation in horizontal organizations (i.e. groups that are characterized by non‐hierarchical, egalitarian relationships among group members; volunteer, sport and hobby groups in their study) was inversely associated with hypertension among older people in Japan . Kamiya et al showed that participating in a greater number of organizations was associated with a lower odds of hypertension among the older population living in the UK …”

“…First, we used longitudinal dataset and investigated the association to deal with the issue of reverse causality. Previous studies used a cross‐sectional design to investigate the association . Second, few studies have been carried out in China, which exemplifies rapid economic development and population aging in the past several decades better than any other countries and thus, the increasing trend of hypertension .…”

“…Previous studies used a crosssectional design to investigate the association. 11,12 Second, few studies have been carried out in China, which exemplifies rapid economic development and population aging in the past several decades better than any other countries and thus, the increasing trend of hypertension. 6 Social participation could be a potential cost-effective means to help mitigate disease burden associated with hypertension in China, which must meet the demand of a rapidly aging population with limited financial and medical resources.…”

Association between Social Relationship and Glycemic Control among Older Japanese: JAGES Cross-Sectional Study

“…Informal socializing—such as frequency of meeting with one’s friends—is considered a structural indicator of network contacts. Social participation means participation in community organizations [9]. …”