Whole grains, which retain the bran and germ layers, are rich in nutrients and more nourishing than refined grains, with a globally acclaimed potential to prevent non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recommend whole grains as part of a healthy and sustainable diet, and several countries explicitly include them in their national dietary guidelines. In contrast, Japan lacks a clear definition or intake recommendation for whole grains and consumption levels remain notably low. This article reviews international evidence on the public health and health economic impact of whole-grain consumption, focusing on brown rice, a representative whole grain in Japan. Although brown rice intake has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, its consumption remains limited in Japan owing to barriers such as taste preferences, preparation efforts, and limited availability. Partial substitution of white rice with brown rice may help prevent type 2 diabetes and reduce national healthcare expenditure. Promoting the intake of whole grains, including brown rice, through multifaceted strategies, such as enhanced nutrition and health education, collaboration with food industry stakeholders, and incorporation into school and workplace meals, may support long-term improvements in population health and the containment of social security costs.

Objective　Green-slow mobility (electric-powered carts), with travel speeds below 20 km/h on public roads, is expected to promote outings and social participation, potentially reducing the risk of functional disabilities. When electric-powered cart operations stop in a community, outings and social connections may decrease, thereby increasing the risk of functional disability. This study investigated whether the risk of functional disability increased among users after electric-powered cart operation ended.

Methods　This longitudinal study employed a natural experimental design and analyzed three waves of data: before electric-powered carts were introduced, during operation/immediately after operation stopped, and sometime later (post-stoppage). For each wave, data were gathered through a self-administered survey. After operation stopped, secondary analyses were conducted. Electric-powered carts remained out of service for four months following the demonstration project’s conclusion. Participants included 78 adults over age 65 residing in Nitto, Taishi, and Kawachinagano. They completed all three surveys and reported using electric-powered carts at least once monthly during operation. The primary outcome variable was the risk assessment scale, which predicts the likelihood of requiring long-term care within three years (range: 0–48, with higher scores indicating a greater risk). The primary explanatory variables were survey waves (preoperative, during the operation/immediately after operations stopped, and post-stoppage). Covariates included baseline characteristics, such as sex, education, marital status, employment, economic hardship, and living alone. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the data, reporting coefficients (B), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P values. Additional analyses stratified the participants by cart usage frequency (at least once weekly vs. 1–3 times monthly).

Result　Among people who used carts at least once weekly (n = 31, 39.7%), the mean risk scores were the lowest during operation/immediately after operation stopped (20.0) and the highest post-stoppage (21.8). The coefficient of the association between survey timing and risk scores was 0.01 (−0.78–0.81, P = 0.975) during operation/immediately after operation stopped, and 0.49 (−0.31–1.28, P = 0.231) after post-stoppage. For people using carts at least once/week, the association was 0.71 (−0.75–2.17, P = 0.341) pre- and 1.77 (0.31–3.24, P = 0.017) post-stoppage. No significant associations were found for those using carts 1–3 times monthly.

Conclusion　Stopping electric-powered cart operations may increase the risk of long-term care, particularly for [at least] once weekly users. Sustained cart usage is vital for healthy aging among older adults.

Objectives　To understand the current conditions and challenges in the utilization and digitalization of information and communication technology (ICT) in public health nursing, using a nationwide survey of local government public health nurses. The study also seeks to provide recommendations for enhancing the utilization of ICT in public health nursing.

Methods　An online, anonymous, and self-administered survey of public health nurses in supervisory positions across 47 prefectures and 1,741 municipalities was conducted. The survey collected information on the type of municipality (prefecture, government-designated city, city with health centers, or other municipalities). Additionally, data on the extent of the utilization of ICT in public health nursing activities, the status of current initiatives, and challenges in promoting ICT were collected. The survey was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024.

Results　A total of 577 responses (response rate: 32.3%) were received, of which 524 were valid, with no missing items. Among the responding municipalities, 55.9% reported active promotion of ICT projects. However, only 26.7% reported that these projects were progressing smoothly. The most common ICT activity was conducting meetings via online calls (83.0%). The level of implementation of ICT varied depending on the initiative and the type of municipality. The most significant challenge identified by public health nurses was concern regarding the inclusion of cohorts facing difficulties in adapting to digital technologies (89.1%). This was followed by challenges in formulating a vision or policy for the utilization of ICT in public health nursing activities (86.1%) and difficulties in understanding procedures for promoting the utilization of ICT in their activities (82.8%). Each of these issues was recognized as a challenge by >80% of the municipalities surveyed. At the organizational level, the most commonly reported challenge was the difficulty of securing adequate budgets to facilitate utilization of ICT in public health nursing activities (52.7%). By municipality type, approximately 60% of prefectural governments reported that the internet environment available to public health nurses was inadequate. Similarly, approximately 60% of prefectural and government-designated city governments identified a shortage of accessible ICT devices for public health nurses as a challenge.

Conclusion　Although many local governments actively promote the utilization of ICT in public health nursing activities, significant challenges remain. The progress and implementation of ICT initiatives varies by municipality. However, several challenges are common across regions. To promote the utilization of ICT in public health nursing, it is essential to enhance workforce development for the utilization of ICT for public health nurses, while also facilitating the sharing of good practices and expertise among municipalities.

Objectives　As the number of older workers increase, the proportion of occupational accidents among them has increased. To prevent such accidents, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of age-related decline in physical and psychological function from middle to old age. This study aimed to elucidate these characteristics and discuss occupational health issues in middle to old age.

Methods　This study was part of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging, involving 1,153 men and 1,117 women Japanese community-dwelling participants aged 40–84 years during the seventh wave (2010–2012). Hearing function, visual function, postural balance, motor fitness, gait function, cognitive function, mental health, and bone mineral density were measured using a survey. Descriptive statistics and z-scores (based on the age groups; 40–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and 75–84) were calculated based on sex and age group. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 (z-score; ≥ ±1.96).

Results　Compared to those aged 40–44 years, those aged 75–84 showed significantly lower z-scores for hearing function (z-score for air-conduction pure-tone threshold at 8,000 Hz; +4.78 for men, +4.91 for women), near visual acuity (+4.42 for men), information processing ability (−3.94 for women), and muscular endurance (z-score for upper body raising; −2.73 for men, −2.38 for women). Conversely, age differences were relatively small (−0.5 < z-score < 0.5 in all ages) in gait pace, depression scores, and life satisfaction in both sexes.

Conclusion　Hearing function (especially at high frequencies) scores were significantly lower in older age groups, followed by near visual acuity, information processing ability, and muscular endurance in both sexes. However, there were no clear age-related differences in the gait pace, psychological health, or life satisfaction. Occupational health check-ups must be implemented based on an understanding of the characteristics of changes in physical and psychological functions with aging.