Ecohealth Approach to Longevity Challenges in Anthropocene: A Case of Japan

Abstract

One of the characteristics of human populations in the Anthropocene is longevity. This is an outcome of the health and mortality transitions. All the countries will face the longevity challenges in Anthropocene, although there has been and will continue to be a potential threat of premature death or human extinction due to natural or man-made disasters. Japan is enjoying the world top-class life expectancy, 87.14 years for female and 80.98 years for male in 2016. Healthy life expectancy is 74.79 years and 72.14 years, respectively, while the period with health problems affecting daily life is 12.35 years and 8.84 years, respectively. As Japanese period life expectancy has increased by about 1 year in every 5–10 years, it is estimated that it will reach to 90.93 years for female and 84.19 years for male in 2060. It may be more due to the birth cohort effect and advance of biomedical technology. With this long life expectancy and fertility decline, the proportion of people of 65 years old and over reached 27.7% in 2017. It will reach to 38.8% or more in 2050. What is the influence of this change of population structure on the society? Is the society sustainable after the health and demographic transitions? Is the universal medical coverage achievable and sustainable? What are the appropriate coping strategies for the longevity challenges? All the countries including low- and middle-income countries will face with these challenges very soon in Anthropocene, as we succeed in achieving development, regardless whether it is sustainable or not. It is worth pondering the longevity challenges and coping strategies of longevity. This paper, showing the case of Japan, discusses the possibility of ecohealth approach against the challenges in the four stages of life: (1) the healthy life period, (2) the healthy life period with medical services, (3) the period of life with disability and need for care, and (4) the final period prior to death.