Association between social participation and health status trajectories in older adults: A 19-year yamanashi healthy life expectancy cohort study (Y-HALE)

OBJECTIVE: Population aging highlights the importance of understanding social factors that promote healthy aging. We aimed to identify health status trajectories among older adults in Japan and determine social participation associated with each trajectory cluster. METHODS: Data from 497 older adults from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, were used to identify their health status trajectories based on caregiving levels defined by the Japan's national care insurance system. We determined social participants associated with each trajectory cluster. RESULTS: Men aged 65-74 who worked and participated in "Mujin" were more likely to belong to beneficial health clusters. For men aged ≥75, frequent interactions with friends and neighbors and participation in vertical community groups were positively associated with these clusters. Among women, active participation in horizontal groups was positively linked to beneficial health clusters across both age groups. CONCLUSION: Tailored approaches to promoting social activity participation are needed, considering differences by sex and age group.