2021, Journal of General and Family Medicine, TOP CITED ARTICLE 2019-2020　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Building primary care in Japan: Literature review.
Kato D;Ryu H;Matsumoto T;Abe K;Kaneko M;Ko M;Irving G;Ramsay R;Kondo M

2020, Journal of General and Family Medicine, TOP DOWNLOADED PAPER 2018-2019　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Building primary care in Japan: Literature review.
Kato D;Ryu H;Matsumoto T;Abe K;Kaneko M;Ko M;Irving G;Ramsay R;Kondo M

2007, 第一生命, 59th Public Health Award　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
International Federations of Medical Students’ Association Japan (IFMSA-Japan)

Telemedicine Uptake During and After Pandemic-Era Deregulation in Japan
Kazuki Ohashi, Kazuhiro Abe, Yoko Shizawa, Zhao Jieyu, Machiko Ukai, Shigekazu Komoto, Katsuhiko Ogasawara
JAMA Network Open, 9, 1, e2553150, e2553150, American Medical Association (AMA), 09 Jan. 2026, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal, This cross-sectional study assesses the uptake of telemedicine during and after the COVID-19 pandemic–era deregulation period in Japan.

Regional Factors and Ambulatory Care–Sensitive Condition Hospitalizations in Older Japanese Adults
Kazuhiro Abe, Kazuki Ohashi, Shigekazu Komoto, Katsuhiko Ogasawara
JAMA Network Open, 8, 12, e2549457, e2549457, American Medical Association (AMA), 12 Dec. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Importance

Hospitalization in older adults leads to a decline in daily living activities, and countries experiencing demographic aging face an increase in hospitalization rates and health care costs. Health care systems that can reduce the probability of ambulatory care–sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalization among older populations are needed.

Objective

To comprehensively assess the association between regional factors and the probability of ACSC hospitalization among older adults and the extent to which regional factors explain this probability.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, focused on participants aged 65 years or older who were covered by community-based or older-age health insurance (all adults aged 72 years and older) and had at least 2 medical visits between July and December 2022. The patients were followed up until December 2023.

Exposure

Explanatory variables included municipal-level factors of residence categorized according to the Andersen behavioral model, which conceptualizes health service use as a function of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. At the municipal level, 9 predisposing, 11 enabling, and 10 need factors were included.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the binary variable of whether an individual was hospitalized for ACSCs between January and December 2023.

Results

Among the 1 272 960 participants (median [IQR] age, 78 [73-84] years; 762 118 [59.9%] women), 51 623 (4.1%) had ACSC hospitalizations: 9492 for acute conditions, 41 271 for chronic conditions, and 3779 for vaccine-preventable conditions. A multilevel logistic regression analysis with individuals for level 1 and municipalities for level 2 revealed that 6.0% of the variance was attributable to municipal factors. Lower odds of hospitalization were associated with more clinics (odds ratio [OR], 0.933; 95% CI, 0.881-0.988), long-term care rehabilitation beds (OR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993-0.999), and higher financial power (OR, 0.359; 95% CI, 0.236-0.548); home care support clinics showed a similar direction (OR, 0.807; 95% CI, 0.636-1.024). Higher odds were associated with more nursing home beds (OR, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.000-1.009), a higher proportion of older adults living alone (OR, 1.073; 95% CI, 1.032-1.116), and a higher income (OR, 1.0004; 95% CI, 1.0001-1.0006).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of older adults in Japan, ACSC hospitalizations were less likely in municipalities with more outpatient, in-home, and rehabilitation care resources and stronger financial capacity and more likely in those with more nursing home beds, greater social isolation, and higher income levels., 36703687

Low-Cost, High-Volume Healthcare Services Contribute the Most to Low-Value Care Spending in Japan
Atsushi Miyawaki, John N Mafi, Tsuguya Fukui, Yuya Kimura, Daiki Kobayashi, Sara Odawara, Kazuhiro Abe, Rei Goto, Yusuke Tsugawa
Health Affairs Scholar, Oxford University Press (OUP), 21 Nov. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Abstract

Introduction

High-income countries face the urgent task of reducing healthcare spending incurred by low-value care. However, evidence is limited as to whether high-cost or low-cost low-value care services contribute more to total unnecessary healthcare spending, especially outside the United States.

Methods

Using a claims database covering all age groups in Japan from April 2022 to March 2023 (approximately 2 million beneficiaries, or 2% of the total population), we examined 52 low-value care services using two versions of claims-based measures with different sensitivities and specificities (narrower and broader definitions).

Results

We identified 3.1 million (narrower) to 3.7 million (broader) episodes of low-value care services, accounting for 42.6–67.2 million USD, or 0.7–1.0% of total healthcare spending. In the narrower definition, lower-cost services (<80 USD per service) contributed to virtually all episodes of low-value care and 67% of total unnecessary healthcare spending—far exceeding the 33% attributed to the higher-cost services (≥80 USD).

Conclusion

This finding suggests that compared to focusing solely on higher- low-value care low-value care services, targeting the reduction of frequently performed, lower-cost low-value care services may be a more effective and efficient strategy for reducing wasteful spending.

Changes in inpatient and outpatient stroke admissions during COVID-19: a difference-in-differences analysis based on claims data from 242 acute care hospitals in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Shota Shibata, Atsushi Miyawaki, Ichiro Kawachi
BMJ Public Health, 3, 2, e001958, e001958, BMJ, Sep. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Introduction

While COVID-19 has been associated with an elevated stroke risk due to its prothrombotic and inflammatory effects, previous studies have reported a decreased number of stroke hospitalisations during COVID-19. Patients with a stroke who could not be admitted might have been followed up in outpatient settings of these hospitals. Our study aimed to investigate the change in the number of patients who had a stroke admitted to inpatient and outpatient settings during COVID-19.

Methods

A difference-in-differences design using claims data in 242 acute-care hospitals was adopted to examine stroke admissions in Japan, contrasting the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019) to the pandemic period (2020). The Japanese government’s declaration of emergency in April 2020 was considered an exogenous shock. The outcomes were the numbers of ischaemic stroke (both embolic and non-embolic), intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage admissions, with in-hospital mortality rates, modified Rankin Scale and procedure uses.

Results

From a total of 27 631 stroke cases (44.3% women, median age 75 years (IQR 66–83)), no statistically significant changes were observed in the overall count of stroke admissions during the pandemic. A decrease in ischaemic stroke hospitalisations was detected (incidence-rate ratios (95% CI), 0.83 (0.73 to 0.95)), which was somewhat offset by an increasing trend for patients treated in the outpatient setting (1.06 (0.91 to 1.22)). No significant differences were found in in-hospital mortality rate, proportion of severe modified Rankin Scale at discharge and thrombolysis treatment rate. Rates of mechanical thrombectomy in ischaemic stroke were reduced (0.60 (0.36 to 0.99)), and length of stay was reduced for all types of stroke except intracerebral haemorrhage.

Conclusion

When considering both inpatient and outpatient admissions for stroke, we found no statistically significant change in the number of stroke admissions in 2020 in Japan. In addition, our findings suggest that acute stroke inpatient care, at least during 2020, was appropriately managed despite limited resources., 36703687

Association between transitional care in acute care hospitals and ambulatory care sensitive condition-related readmission.
Ako Machida, Noriko Morioka, Mutsuko Moriwaki, Kazuhiro Abe, Chihiro Takahashi, Kenshi Hayashida, Masayo Kashiwagi
Age and ageing, 54, 9, 29 Aug. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Little is known about how ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC)-related readmissions can be reduced in acute care settings. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between transitional care for hospitalised older patients with ACSC and ACSC-related readmissions. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study included patients aged 65 years and older admitted with ACSC as the primary diagnosis from 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2023, using linked data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination and the medical functions of the hospital beds database. The primary outcomes were cumulative readmissions within 1-7, 1-14, 1-21, 1-30 and 1-60 days, analysed using inverse probability treatment weighting regression models. RESULTS: Among 85 582 patients from 711 hospitals, 39 916 (46.6%) were female, with a median age of 82 years (interquartile range: 75-88); 57 127 (66.8%) patients received transitional care. The overall readmission rates were 2.9%, 6.0%, 8.7%, 11.4% and 17.5% among total hospitalisations within 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Overall, transitional care was associated with reduced odds of ACSC-related readmission, with odds ratios ranging from 0.72 (95% CI: 0.65-0.78) within 7 days to 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.95) within 60 days. The association between transitional care and readmission varied by ACSC category. In chronic ACSC, the association was strongest for 7-day readmission, followed by a downward trend. In acute and vaccine-preventable ACSC, the association was strongest for 7-day readmission but levelled off after 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: Transitional care in acute care hospitals may be associated with a reduced risk of early readmissions due to ACSC when older patients are hospitalised., 36703687

Analysis of the Incidence and Severity of Cellulitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan
Tomoyo Sato, Kazuhiro Abe, Atsushi Miyawaki, Hirofumi Ohnishi, Hisashi Uhara
The Journal of Dermatology, Wiley, 14 Jul. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, ABSTRACT

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, a decline in various infectious disease cases was observed. However, changes in dermatological infectious diseases, particularly cellulitis, and the potential impact of delayed consultations on severe cases have not been fully explored. To investigate changes in the number of cellulitis patients and severe cases during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We employed a difference‐in‐differences (DID) design using a de‐identified claims database from 242 acute‐care hospitals across Japan to compare the pre‐pandemic period (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019) with the pandemic period (January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020). The national state of emergency, declared by the Japanese government in April 2020 in response to COVID‐19, was treated as an exogenous shock. The study analyzed outpatient, inpatient, and total cases, sepsis and bacteremia complications, ambulance transport rates, length of hospital stay, and inpatient comorbidities. A total of 28 673 cellulitis cases were analyzed (24 256 from 2015 to 2019; 4417 in 2020). Severity indicators included hospitalization (8.2%), sepsis (4.1%), bacteremia (1.7%), and ambulance transport (17.0%). In the DID analysis, a significant decrease was observed in total cellulitis cases (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97), outpatient cases (IRR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86–0.98), and inpatient cases (IRR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66–0.99). No significant differences were found in sepsis (IRR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.26–1.10), bacteremia (IRR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.19–2.86), ambulance transport (IRR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.50–1.29), or length of hospital stay (IRR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66–1.03). During the pandemic, the number of cellulitis cases treated in Japanese acute‐care hospitals decreased without a significant rise in severe cases, suggesting the possibility that avoidance of medical consultations may not have worsened outcomes. Pandemic‐related behavioral changes may have contributed to the reduced incidence., 36703687

Primary Care Physician Characteristics and Low-Value Care Provision in Japan.
Atsushi Miyawaki, John N Mafi, Kazuhiro Abe, Alexandra Klomhaus, Rei Goto, Kei Kitajima, Daichi Sato, Yusuke Tsugawa
JAMA health forum, 6, 6, e251430, 07 Jun. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, IMPORTANCE: Evidence is limited regarding the physician characteristics associated with the provision of low-value services in primary care, especially outside of the US. OBJECTIVE: To measure physician-level use of 10 low-value care services that provide no net clinical benefit and to investigate the characteristics of primary care physicians who frequently provide low-value care in Japan. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional analysis used a nationwide electronic health record database linked with claims data in Japan to assess visits by adult patients (age ≥18 years) to a solo-practice primary care physician from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Data analysis was performed from June 2024 to February 2025. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Multivariable-adjusted composite rate of low-value care services delivered per 100 patients per year, aggregated across 10 low-value measures, after accounting for case mix and other characteristics. RESULTS: Among 2 542 630 patients (mean [SD] age, 51.6 [19.8] years; 58.2% female) treated by 1019 primary care physicians (mean [SD] age 56.4 [10.2] years; 90.4% male), 436 317 low-value care services were identified (17.2 cases per 100 patients overall). Nearly half of these low-value care services were provided by 10% of physicians. After accounting for patient case mix, older physicians (age ≥60 years) delivered 2.1 per 100 patients (95% CI, 1.0-3.3) more low-value care services than those younger than 40 years; not board-certified physicians delivered 0.8 per 100 patients (95% CI, 0.2-1.5) more than general internal medicine board-certified physicians; physicians with higher patient volumes delivered 2.3 per 100 patients (95% CI, 1.5-3.2) more than those with low patient volumes; and physicians practicing in Western Japan delivered 1.0 per 100 patients (95% CI, 0.5-1.5) more than those in Eastern Japan. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this cross-sectional analysis suggest that low-value care services were common and concentrated among a small number of primary care physicians in Japan, with older physicians and not board-certified physicians being more likely to provide low-value care. Policy interventions targeting at a small number of certain types of physicians providing large quantities of low-value care may be more effective and efficient than those targeting all physicians uniformly.

Impact of COVID-19 on medical utilization for psychiatric conditions in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Kouta Suzuki, Atsushi Miyawaki, Ichiro Kawachi
Social Science & Medicine, 117763, Jan. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, 36703687

User Profiles of Private Long-term Care Services Not Fully Covered by Public Insurance in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Hiroshi Murayama
JMA Journal, Nov. 2024, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author], [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal

Last year of life care transitions between long-term care insurance services in Japan: Analysis of long-term care insurance claims data
Masayo Kashiwagi, Kimikazu Kashiwagi, Noriko Morioka, Kazuhiro Abe
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, Jul. 2024, [Peer-reviewed], [Last author], ［Internationally co-authored］
English, Scientific journal

Characteristics of first-time users of the nursing small-scale multifunctional home care service: a pooled cross-sectional study using Japanese long-term care insurance claims data from 2012 to 2019
Noriko Morioka, Masayo Kashiwagi, Kimikazu Kashiwagi, Kazuhiro Abe, Atsushi Miyawaki
BMJ Open, 14, 5, e080664, e080664, BMJ, 20 May 2024, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Objectives

In April 2012, the Japanese government launched a new nursing service called the nursing small-scale multifunctional home care (NSMHC) to meet the nursing care demands of individuals with moderate-to-severe activities of daily living (ADLs) dysfunction and who require medical care, thereby allowing them to continue living in the community. We aimed to preliminarily analyse the characteristics of first-time users of NSMHC service.

Design

This pooled cross-sectional study used the Japanese long-term care insurance (LTCI) claims data from the users’ first use of NSMHC (from April 2012 to December 2019).

Setting

NSMHC includes nursing home visits, home care, daycare, overnight stays and medical treatment.

Participants

The study population included LTCI beneficiaries who received their first long-term care requirement certification in Japan from April 2012 onwards, died between April 2012 and December 2019, and used any LTCI service at least once.

Results

Among the 836 563 individuals who used any LTCI service at least once, 3957 (0.47%) used NSMHC. We analysed 3634 individuals without any missing data regarding long-term care requirement certification. Most individuals were aged 80 years or older, with 64.3% requiring care level 3 or above, indicating complete assistance with ADLs. Regarding ADLs in individuals with dementia, 70.6% were at level 2 or below, indicating they can live almost independently even with dementia. A large proportion of NSMHC users availed the service approximately 6 months before death, with no prior use of any LTCI services; they continued using the service for around 4 months, although some people continued to use NSMHC until their month of death.

Conclusions

Using individual data on nationwide LTCI, we described the characteristics of first-time users of NSMHC among those who died within 7.5 years from the first certification of care needs. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of NSMHC use on user outcomes.

Association between spatial access and hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions: A retrospective cohort study using claims data
Arisa Iba, Jun Tomio, Takehiro Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Abe, Ikuho Yamada, Yasuki Kobayashi
SSM - Population Health, 25, 101565, 101565, Elsevier BV, Mar. 2024, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

In-Hospital Deaths From Ambulatory Care–Sensitive Conditions Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Ichiro Kawachi, Arisa Iba, Atsushi Miyawaki
JAMA Network Open, 6, 6, e2319583, e2319583, Jun. 2023, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role in the deterioration of access to medical care for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs). OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether the number of in-hospital deaths and in-hospital mortality rate associated with ACSC changed after the declaration of the COVID-19 national state of emergency in Japan. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used a difference-in-differences design to compare outcomes for ACSC in the period before (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019) vs the period after (January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020) Japan declared a national state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses used discharge summary data from 242 acute care hospitals across Japan. The sample comprised unscheduled hospitalizations of patients with ACSC during the study period (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020). Data analyses were performed between August 16 and December 7, 2022. EXPOSURE: The declaration of the COVID-19 national state of emergency announced by the Japanese government in April 2020 was considered to be an exogenous shock. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were the ACSC-associated number of in-hospital deaths, number of hospitalizations, and in-hospital mortality rate. RESULTS: A total of 28 321 ACSC-related hospitalizations were observed involving 15 318 males (54.1%), with a median (IQR) age of 76 (58-85) years. The number of in-hospital deaths was 2117 (7.5%). The number of hospitalizations decreased overall (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94), for chronic conditions (IRR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.92), and for vaccine-preventable conditions (IRR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44-0.76). However, in-hospital deaths (IRR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.15-2.39) and in-hospital deaths within 24 hours of hospital arrival (IRR, 7.27 × 106; 95% CI, 1.83 × 106 to 2.89 × 107) increased for acute conditions. The in-hospital mortality rate increased for acute conditions (IRR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.16-2.54), and the 24-hour in-hospital mortality rates also increased overall (IRR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.19-2.96), for acute conditions (IRR, 2.15 × 106; 95% CI, 5.25 × 105 to 8.79 × 106), and for vaccine-preventable conditions (IRR, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.28-16.77). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study found that in Japan, the number of in-hospital deaths increased after the declaration of the COVID-19 national state of emergency in 2020, particularly for acute ACSC and deaths within 24 hours of hospital admission. This finding suggests that access to good-quality primary care and inpatient care for patients with acute ACSC may have been compromised during the pandemic., 36703687

Effects of cost sharing on long-term care service utilization among home-dwelling older adults in Japan
Kazuaki Sano, Atsushi Miyawaki, Kazuhiro Abe, Xueying Jin, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya, Yasuki Kobayashi
Health Policy, Elsevier BV, Oct. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, 29382350

Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in a Large City of Japan: a Descriptive Analysis Using Claims Data
Arisa Iba, Jun Tomio, Kazuhiro Abe, Takehiro Sugiyama, Yasuki Kobayashi
Journal of General Internal Medicine, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 12 Jul. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

LIFE実装がもたらしたものと今後の課題 介護の意義を共通言語で考える ライフおよび医療介護レセプトデータを通じた分析から介護の質向上へ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
田宮 菜奈子, 佐方 信夫, 阿部 計大, 宇田 和晃, 浜田 将太
日本老年医学会雑誌, 59, Suppl., 26, 26, (一社)日本老年医学会, May 2022
Japanese

Municipal Characteristics of In-Home Death Among Care-Dependent Older Japanese Adults
Kazuhiro Abe, Ichiro Kawachi, Yuta Taniguchi, Nanako Tamiya
JAMA Network Open, 5, 1, e2142273, e2142273, American Medical Association (AMA), 05 Jan. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Importance: The provision of in-home and community end-of-life care has emerged as an important policy issue for aging populations around the world. Despite most patients expressing the wish to die at home (as opposed to in the hospital), substantial geographic variation persists in the prevalence of in-home death at the end of life. Objective: To assess the association of municipal characteristics with variation in the place of death among care-dependent older people in Japan. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study using multilevel logistic regression, analyses were performed using national claims data under Japan's long-term care insurance system. The study population included long-term care insurance beneficiaries 65 years and older who died in 2015, excluding those who died from external causes, such as unintentional injuries. Data analyses were conducted from January 1 to April 31, 2021. Exposures: Predisposing, enabling, and need factors at the individual and municipal levels according to a behavioral model. Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome was whether individuals died at home or not. Results: This cross-sectional study analyzed 544 836 decedents (median [IQR] age, 87 [81-91] years; 300 142 [55.1%] female). The proportion of in-home deaths was 10.3%. In the multilevel null model, 7.2% of the variance in the place of death was associated with municipal-level characteristics. Municipal characteristics were associated with more of the variance than were prefectural characteristics (2.7%). The largest proportional change (7.3%) in variance at the municipality level was observed when enabling factors (ie, medical and long-term care resources) were added to the model. Municipalities with a high proportion of in-home death were more likely to have a higher supply of clinics, physicians, and care workers providing in-home services per population, as well as a lower number of hospital beds and long-term care facility workers per population. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, municipal characteristics explained a substantial proportion of the geographic variance in in-home death in Japan. These results suggest that municipal policy makers need to ensure an adequate supply of clinics, physicians, and care workers providing in-home services to meet the preferences of care-dependent older people who wish to spend their final days at home., 29382350

National trends in the proportion of in-hospital deaths by cause of death among older adults with long-term care: a nationwide observational study in Japan from 2007 to 2017
Yuta Taniguchi, Masao Iwagami, Xueying Jin, Nobuo Sakata, Mikiya Sato, Taeko Watanabe, Kyoko Hanari, Kazuhiro Abe, Haruko Noguchi, Nanako Tamiya
BMC Geriatrics, 22, 1, 6, 6, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 03 Jan. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal,

Japan has promoted end-of-life care at home and in long-term care facilities, and the total proportion of in-hospital deaths has decreased recently. However, the difference in trends of in-hospital deaths by the cause of death remains unclear. We investigated the variation in trends of in-hospital deaths among older adults with long-term care from 2007 to 2017, by cause of death and place of care.




Using the national long-term care insurance registry, long-term care claims data, and national death records, we identified people aged 65 years or older who died between 2007 and 2017 and used long-term care services in the month before death. Using a joinpoint regression model, we evaluated time trends of the proportion of in-hospital deaths by cause of death (cancer, heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, and senility) and place of care (home, long-term care health facility, or long-term care welfare facility).




Of the 3,261,839 participants, the mean age was 87.0 ± 8.0 years, and 59.2% were female. Overall, the proportion of in-hospital deaths decreased from 66.2% in 2007 to 55.3% in 2017. By cause of death, the proportion of in-hospital deaths remained the highest for pneumonia (81.6% in 2007 and 77.2% in 2017) and lowest for senility (25.5% in 2007 and 20.0% in 2017) in all types of places of care. The joinpoint regression analysis showed the steepest decline among those who died of senility, especially among long-term care health facility residents.




The findings of this nationwide study suggest that there was a decreasing trend of in-hospital deaths among older adults, although the speed of decline and absolute values varied widely depending on the cause of death and place of care.

Association of the Frequency of In-Home Care Services Utilization and the Probability of In-Home Death
Kazuhiro Abe, Ichiro Kawachi, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya
JAMA Network Open, 4, 11, e2132787, e2132787, Nov. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, 29382350

Authors' reply to the letter from Dr. Kato
Kazuhiro Abe, Yuta Taniguchi, Ichiro Kawachi, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, Wiley, 31 Aug. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
Scientific journal, 29382350

Municipal long‐term care workforce supply and in‐home deaths at the end of life: Panel data analysis with a fixed‐effect model in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Yuta Taniguchi, Ichiro Kawachi, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 21, 8, 712, 717, Wiley, 09 Jun. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, AIM: The study assessed the association between boosting the workforce supply by types of long-term care services and in-home deaths among older people at the municipality level. METHODS: A fixed-effect panel data analysis was conducted using administrative data for every 3 years from 2008 to 2014. The outcome was the proportion of home deaths, excluding those due to external factors, such as suicide or accident. The explanatory variables were the full-time equivalent numbers of care workers engaged in in-home services, day services, short-stay services, and long-term care facilities per 1000 population aged 65 years and older. Ordinary least squares estimation was conducted, with standard errors corrected for clustering at the prefecture level, adjusting the covariates. RESULTS: Analysis included 1706 municipalities. One care worker increase providing day services per 1000 population aged 65 years and older was associated with a 0.09% increase in the proportion of deaths at home (95% CI: 0.008-0.17). Although statistically non-significant, the number of care workers providing in-home services was positively associated with the proportion of home deaths, whereas the number of those providing short-stay services and providing long-term care facilities and nursing home services were inversely associated with home deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Given the increased number of care-dependent older people who opt to stay at home until death, and their informal caregivers who have the burden and stress of care, the findings suggest that policymakers should ensure that the number of care workers for day services is sufficient for supporting care recipients and informal caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 712-717., 29383795

Trajectories of Long-Term Care Expenditure During the Last 5 Years of Life in Japan: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
Xueying Jin, Kazuhiro Abe, Yuta Taniguchi, Taeko Watanabe, Atsushi Miyawaki, Nanako Tamiya
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Elsevier BV, Mar. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVES: Despite the significant utilization of long-term care (LTC) services at the end of life, evidence on the trajectory of LTC expenditure in later life is scarce. This study aims to identify distinct trajectories of LTC expenditure in the last 5 years of life and to examine whether these trajectories differ according to cause of death. DESIGN: A nationwide retrospective longitudinal cohort study based on linked data of National LTC Claims and the Japan's National Vital Statistic. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants comprised decedents aged 70 years or older and who died in 2017. METHODS: We assessed 5 years of monthly LTC expenditure among participants and applied group-based trajectory model to identify distinct trajectories of LTC expenditure. Subsequently multinominal logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate how these trajectories vary according to cause of death. RESULTS: Among 1,124,335 decedents, 4 distinct trajectories of LTC expenditure were identified: persistently low (58.5%), late increase (9.8%), progressive increase then late decrease (8.8%), and persistently high (22.9%). Approximately 80.7% of total LTC expenditure was spent by the persistently high group. After adjustment for age and sex; deaths due to age-related physical debility and dementia were associated with persistently high LTC expenditure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Ongoing discussions of LTC policy and reducing LTC expenditure may be more effective when emphasizing persistently high spenders. In addition, budget allocation for LTC at the end of life should be combined with data for health conditions., 29382350

Deaths in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons from Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Ichiro Kawachi
JAMA Health Forum, 2, 2, e210054, e210054, American Medical Association (AMA), 12 Feb. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
English, Scientific journal, 29383795

Trends in Hospitalizations for Asthma During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Atsushi Miyawaki, Masaki Nakamura, Hideki Ninomiya, Yasuki Kobayahi
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, Elsevier BV, Oct. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

Place of death associated with types of long-term care services near the end-of-life for home-dwelling older people in Japan: a pooled cross-sectional study
Kazuhiro Abe, Atsushi Miyawaki, Yasuki Kobayashi, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya
BMC Palliative Care, 19, 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Aug. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
Scientific journal, 29382350

Epidemiology of food choking deaths in Japan: Time trends and regional variations.
Yuta Taniguchi, Masao Iwagami, Nobuo Sakata, Taeko Watanabe, Kazuhiro Abe, Nanako Tamiya
Journal of epidemiology, 13 Jun. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: With increasing age globally, more people may become vulnerable to food choking. We investigated the nationwide epidemiology of food choking deaths in Japan. METHODS: Using Japanese Vital Statistics death data between 2006 and 2016, we identified food choking deaths based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases code W79 (Inhalation and ingestion of food causing obstruction of respiratory tract) as a primary diagnosis. We assessed the demographics of people with food choking deaths; temporal trends of food choking deaths by the year (overall and by age group), the day of year; and prefecture variations. RESULTS: Overall, 52,366 people experienced food choking deaths (median age, 82 years, 53% were male, and 57% occurred at home). The highest numbers occurred January 1-3, and were lowest in June. Despite a stable total number of cases at around 4,000 yearly, from 2006 to 2016 the incidence proportion declined from 16.2 to 12.1 per 100,000 population among people aged 75-84 years. Among people ≥85 years, the incidence proportion peaked at 53.5 in 2008 and decreased to 43.6 in 2016. The number of food choking deaths varied by prefecture. CONCLUSIONS: There are temporal and regional variations of food choking deaths in Japan, possibly due to the consumption of Japanese rice cake (mochi), particularly over the New Year's holiday.

Building primary care in Japan: Literature review.
Kato D, Ryu H, Matsumoto T, Abe K, Kaneko M, Ko M, Irving G, Ramsay R, Kondo M
Journal of general and family medicine, 20, 5, 170, 179, Wiley, Sep. 2019, [Peer-reviewed]
Scientific journal

Receiving the home care service offered by certified care workers prior to a patients' death and the probability of a home death: observational research using an instrumental variable method from Japan.
Abe K, Miyawaki A, Kobayashi Y, Noguchi H, Takahashi H, Tamiya N
BMJ open, 9, 8, e026238, Aug. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between receiving the certified care workers' home care service, which is provided by non-medical professionals prior to a patients' death and the probability of a home death. DESIGN: Observational research using the full-time translated number of certified care workers providing home care service per member of the population aged 65 or above, during the year prior to patient's death per municipality as an instrumental variable. SETTING: The certified care workers' home care service covered by the public long-term care insurance (LTCI) system in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 1 613 391 LTCI beneficiaries aged 65 or above who passed away, except by an external cause of death, between January 2010 and December 2013 were included in the analysis. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Death at home or death at other places, including hospitals, nursing homes and clinics with beds. RESULTS: Out of all participants, 173 498 (10.8%) died at home. The number of patients who used the certified care workers' home care service more than once per each month during 1, 2 or 3 months prior to the month of death numbered 213 848, 176 686 and 155 716, respectively. This was associated with an increased probability of death at home by 9.1% points (95% CI 2.9 to 15.3), 10.5% points (3.3 to 17.6) and 11.4% points (3.6 to 19.2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the certified care workers' home care service prior to death was associated with the increased probability of a home death.

訪問介護サービスの利用と患者の在宅死との関係　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
The University of Tokyo, Mar. 2019, [Peer-reviewed]
Doctoral thesis

Future perspectives on an advocacy skill workshop for junior doctors and medical students in Japan
ABE Kazuhiro, KATO Daisuke, SONODA Kento
Japanese Journal of Health Education and Promotion, 26, 2, 155, 161, 日本健康教育学会, 2018, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
Japanese

The Association between Continuation of Home Medical Care and Utilization of Other Home Care Services for Older People with Long-term Care Insurance in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Yasuki Kobayashi, Akira Kawamura, Haruko Noguchi, Hideto Takahashi, Nanako Tamiya
An Official Journal of the Japan Primary Care Association, 41, 1, 2‐7(J‐STAGE), 2018, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
Japanese

Group report of the seminar on improving advocacy skills for solving health problems; advocacy to improve the general health checkups rate of small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan
ABE Kazuhiro
Japanese Journal of Health Education and Promotion, 25, 2, 121, 123, 日本健康教育学会, 2017, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
Japanese

低栄養状態と10種類以上の内服薬は在宅医療の継続を妨げるリスクとなる
阿部計大, 星哲哉, 永井範子, 加藤利佳, 古堅高之, 藤原昌平, 小嶋一
手稲渓仁会病院医学雑誌, 11, 1, 45, 46, Aug. 2014
Japanese

ambulatory care sensitive conditions（ACSCs） as a quality indicator
Kazuhiro Abe, medicina, 61, 11, 1798, 1801, Oct. 2024, [Invited], [Lead author], ［Internationally co-authored］, [Domestic magazines]
IGAKU-SHOIN Ltd., Japanese, Introduction commerce magazine, 36703687

Impact of decreased access to health care on patients during COVID-19
Kazuhiro Abe, Hokkaido-ihou, 1265, Feb. 2024, [Invited], [Lead author]

Factors associated with satisfaction with the workplace environment of working physicians in Hokkaido　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe, Report of the Hokkaido Medical Association, Working Physicians' Committee and Young Physicians' Specialty Committee, 128, 137, Mar. 2022, [Invited], [Lead author]
Japanese, Meeting report

Research study abroad under COVID-19 pandemic.
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTORASE, 37, Apr. 2021, [Invited], [Lead author]
Japanese, Introduction commerce magazine

介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて-居宅介護サービスの利用と要介護高齢者の在宅死の関係
阿部計大, 田宮菜奈子, 田宮菜奈子, 介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて 令和2年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2021

COVID -19による医師の心理的 ストレスの変化とその対策
Kazuhiro Abe, 北海道医報, 1223, 32, 37, Aug. 2020, [Invited], [Lead author]
Japanese, Introduction other

第1回COVID-19による医師の業務・心理的ストレスへの影響の調査報告書ー医師を患者にしないために―
Kazuhiro Abe, Yuta Taniguchi, Daisuke Kato, Hitomi Kimura Mineyoshi Sato Kouta, Suzuki Maki Okamoto, Advocacy team of Young Medical Doctors and Students, Jul. 2020
Japanese

Gender Equalityの観点からみた医学生・若手医師キャリアデザインセミナーの先駆性
Kazuhiro Abe, 女性医師支援のあゆみ, May 2020, [Invited], [Lead author]
Japanese, Introduction other

International Universal Health Coverage Day: Interviews with Japan’s Key Leaders
Kazuhiro Abe, World Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Newsletter, 18, 39, 42, Apr. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]

介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて-死亡前の居宅介護サービス利用と在宅死に関する研究
阿部計大, 田宮菜奈子, 田宮菜奈子, 介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて 令和元年度 総括・分担報告書(Web), 2020

介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて-食物の誤嚥による窒息死の疫学:経時的変化と地域差に関する研究
谷口雄大, 岩上将夫, 佐方信夫, 渡邊多永子, 阿部計大, 田宮菜奈子, 田宮菜奈子, 介護保険事業(支援)計画に役立つ地域指標-全国介護レセプト等を用いて 令和元年度 総括・分担報告書(Web), 2020

Universal Health Coverage Dayを通して医療制度の歴史を学ぶ
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTORASE, 32, Jan. 2020, [Invited], [Lead author]

Innovative challenges by young physicians
Kazuhiro Abe, 北海道医報, 1214, 33, 33, Nov. 2019, [Invited]
Japanese, Introduction other

Fourth General Assembly of Japan Medical Association/Junior Doctors Network
Ayaka Ishihata, Kazuhiro Abe, World Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Newsletter, 16, 32, 34, Oct. 2019
English, Others

【Interview】How to deliver the voices of young doctors to the physicians' work style reform
Kazuhiro Abe, Anna Nakayasu, 週刊医学界新聞, 3338, Sep. 2019, [Invited]
Japanese, Others

Junior Doctors’ Challenges of Advocacy for Physicians’ Well-being in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, World Medical Association Junior Doctors Newsletter, 15, 20, 23, Apr. 2019
English, Meeting report

北海道内の「医師の労働時間短縮に向けた緊急的な取組」の実施状況と病院特性との関連　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe, 平成30年度北海道勤務医部会・若手医師専門委員会報告, 57, 64, Mar. 2019, [Invited]
Japanese, Technical report

Opportunities to talk to doctors around the world across generations
Kazuhiro Abe, World Medical Association Junior Doctors Newsletter, 14, 18, 18, Oct. 2018, [Invited]
English, Others

医学生から医師になったときにJMA-JDNに参加する意義
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Oct. 2018, [Invited]
Japanese, Others

JDN Newsletter is a communication place to share our views
Kazuhiro Abe, World Medical Association Junior Doctors Newsletter, 13, 20, 20, Apr. 2018, [Invited]
English, Others

“End of Life Care”から医師のあり方に立ち返る ～CMAAO東京総会～
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Jan. 2018, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

Japan Youth Statement Universal Health Coverage: A chance for all
Kazuhiro Abe, Daisuke Kato, Mineyoshi Sato, Tatsuki Ikejiri, Satoru Ueda, Marimo Karaki, Momoka Kitani, Yuki Koyama, Shoko Sakuraba, Takanori Takaki, Shoki Hamada, Dec. 2017
English, Others

医師の長時間労働の法規制に関する若手医師と医学生からの提言書：「壊れない医師・壊さない医療」を目指して
阿部計大, 三島千明, 加藤大祐, 宮脇敦士, 赤星昴己, 齋藤宏子, 龍田ももこ, 塚田凪歩, 小山裕基, 厚生労働省第5回医師の働き方改革に関する検討会, Dec. 2017, [Invited]
参考人, Japanese, Summary national conference

G interview 総合診療 十人十色 阿部計大先生(東京大学大学院医学系研究科 社会医学専攻 公衆衛生学) 社会や医療の変化に合わせて,自分自身も変わり続けたい
阿部 計大, Gノート, 4, 7, 1223, 1226, Oct. 2017
羊土社, Japanese, Others

Career support meeting for medical student and young doctors
Kazuhiro Abe, 北海道医報, 1188, 13, 13, Sep. 2017, [Invited]
Japanese, Lecture materials

英語論文作成とプレゼンテーションのコツ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
海道 利実, 加藤 大祐, 阿部 計大, 三島 千明, 西川 佳孝, 柴田 綾子, 森本 佳奈, 飯田 康, ACP(米国内科学会)日本支部年次総会プログラム集, 2017, 104, 105, Jun. 2017
(一社)米国内科学会日本支部, Japanese

Dots connected to the Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network
Kazuhiro Abe, 北海道医報, 1185, 33, 33, Jun. 2017, [Invited]
Japanese, Others

交流を超えた交流会をめざして ~若手医師交流会・二次会報告~　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe, Residents note, 19, 9, 1685, 1685, 2017, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

地域包括ケア実現のためのヘルスサービスリサーチ―二次データ活用システム構築による多角的エビデンス創出拠点―医療・介護に関わる大規模二次データの利活用手法の研究
小林廉毅, 宮脇敦士, 宮脇敦士, 田中宏和, 田中宏和, 阿部計大, 阿部計大, 豊川智之, 冨尾淳, 地域包括ケア実現のためのヘルスサービスリサーチ-二次データ活用システム構築による多角的エビデンス創出拠点 平成28年度 総括・分担報告書(Web), 201603002A0023 (WEB ONLY), 2017
Japanese

Career design seminar for medical students and young doctors
Kazuhiro Abe, 北海道医報, 1177, 19, 20, Oct. 2016, [Invited]
Japanese, Lecture materials

行動によって得られたものを継続する大切さ ～第１回JMA-JDN総会を開催して～
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Oct. 2016, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Report on the WMA General Assembly, Moscow, 2015.
Kishi T, Mishima C, Abe K, Japan Medical Association journal : JMAJ, 59, 1, 46, 48, Jul. 2016, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

イベントを通して学ぶときに大切なこと ～WMAブエノスアイレス理事会に参加して～
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Jul. 2016, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

世代ごとの強みを活かして医療を支える
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Apr. 2016, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

すんなりわかる 実践!医療経済学のススメ
阿部計大, 阿部計大, 治療, 98, 4, 525‐529, 529, Apr. 2016, [Invited]
南山堂, Japanese, Introduction commerce magazine

アジア大洋州地域のJDNを盛り上げる
Kazuhiro Abe, DOCTOR-ASE, Jan. 2016, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

地域包括ケア実現のためのヘルスサービスリサーチ―二次データ活用システム構築による多角的エビデンス創出拠点―医療・介護に関わる大規模二次データの利活用手法の研究
小林廉毅, 田宮菜奈子, 渡邊多永子, 渡邊多永子, 宮脇敦士, 宮脇敦士, 田中宏和, 田中宏和, 阿部計大, 阿部計大, 豊川智之, 中村文明, 中村文明, 小阪勇気, 小阪勇気, 地域包括ケア実現のためのヘルスサービスリサーチ‐二次データ活用システム構築による多角的エビデンス創出拠点, 83‐87, 2016
Japanese

Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Report on the 30th CMAAO General Assembly in Myanmar.
Abe K, Japan Medical Association journal : JMAJ, 58, 4, 296, 298, Dec. 2015, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

日英若手家庭医のコラボレーションに向けて　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe, Residents note, 17, 10, 1991, 1991, 2015, [Invited]
Japanese, Meeting report

Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Report on the WMA General Assembly, Durban 2014.
Abe K, Mishima C, Japan Medical Association journal : JMAJ, 57, 5-6, 324, 330, Dec. 2014, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network Report on the WMA Council Session, Tokyo 2014.
Abe K, Mishima C, Japan Medical Association journal : JMAJ, 57, 5-6, 320, 323, Dec. 2014, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

A Report on the Junior Doctors Network (JDN) Meeting: The JDN's Challenges and Future Prospects.
Mishima C, Abe K, Japan Medical Association journal : JMAJ, 57, 2, 104, 106, Apr. 2014, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

Innovation of Junior Doctors in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Japan Medical Association Journal, 56, 6, 468, 470, Dec. 2013, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited]
English

Patient-Centered Medicine - Transforming the Clinical Method (3rd edition)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Ryuki Kassai, Kazuhiro Abe, Makoto Oura, Daisuke Kato, Naoko Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Toyoda, Naoki Harada, Naoki Fujitani, Fuyuto Mori
Moira Stewart, Judith Belle Brown, W, Wayne Weston, Ian R McWhinney, Carol L McWilliam, Thomas R Freeman, Yodosha, Mar. 2021, [Joint translation]

Social Epidemiology, second edition　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Berkman Lisa F, 河内 一郎, Glymour M. Maria, 高尾 総司, 藤原 武男, 近藤 尚己, Chapter 15
大修館書店, 2017, 9784469268294, Japanese, [Joint translation]

Social Epidemiology, second edition　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Berkman Lisa F, 河内 一郎, Glymour M. Maria, 高尾 総司, 藤原 武男, 近藤 尚己, Chapter 15
大修館書店, 9784469268300, Japanese, [Joint translation]

Association between Hospitalization of Older Adults Due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions and Municipal Factors
Kazuhiro Abe, Kazuki Ohashi, Shigekazu Komoto, Katsuhiko Ogasawara
The 84th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health, 31 Oct. 2025, Oral presentation
36703687

Provincial Disparities in End-of-Life Living Arrangement Congruence Among Older Adults in China: Insights from CLHLS Data
Ruosu Liu, Kazuhiro Abe, Hirotaka Onishi
The 5th European Conference on Aging ＆Gerontology, 11 Jul. 2025, English, Poster presentation
10 Jul. 2025 - 14 Jul. 2025, London, United Kingdom, [International presentation]

Development and evaluation of cultural sensitivity training for Japanese primary care physicians　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Niaya Harper Igarashi, Hirotaka Onishi, Kazuhiro Abe
The 16th Annual Conference of Japan Primary Care Association, 21 Jun. 2025, Oral presentation

Thinking About Writing: Making Messages Clear in Original Articles　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
The 16th Annual Conference of Japan Primary Care Association, 21 Jun. 2025, Public symposium
研究者が自らの研究成果を世界に還元する代表的な方法は、原著論文を執筆し、学術誌に発表することである。しかしながら、意外にも研究者にとって論文の書き方に関するトレーニングを受ける機会は非常に少ない。多くの場合は出版社が催すイベントに自主的に参加したり、論文の書き方に関する書籍を読んだり、先行研究を手本としたり、先輩研究者に添削をしてもらうことで独学してきたのではないだろうか。世界の読者に対して効果的に研究成果を届けるために、他の研究者は何を意識して論文を執筆しているのだろうか。

このセッションでは、ハーバード大学T. H. Chan公衆衛生大学院で教わる原著論文の書き方を事例を含めて紹介する。その上で、参加者自身の論文執筆や指導、査読の経験を基に、原著論文の各セクション(IMRAD、抄録、タイトル)の書き方についての悩みを共有し、互いのアイデアを学び合う機会を提供する。
主な対象者は、これまで筆頭著者として一編以上の英語原著論文を学術誌に発表した経験がある者、もしくは現在執筆中である者である。尚、研究分野や研究方法によって原著論文の書き方にはバリエーションがあるが、ここでは学会員にとって出版する機会が多いであろう量的手法を用いた疫学分野の英語原著論文の執筆について議論する。

研究者同士で切磋琢磨しながら、日本のプライマリ・ケア領域から発表される質の高い原著論文を益々増やしていこう。

User Profiles of Private Long-term Care Services Not Fully Covered by Public Insurance in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe, Hiroshi Murayama
The 16th Annual Conference of Japan Primary Care Association, 21 Jun. 2025, Oral presentation

Impact of COVID-19 on medical utilization for psychiatric conditions in Japan
Kazuhiro Abe, Kouta Suzuki, Atsushi Miyawaki, Ichiro Kawachi
The 16th Annual Conference of Japan Primary Care Association, 21 Jun. 2025, Oral presentation
36703687

Research methods and cases for the evaluation of community health care systems　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
The 24th Annual Conference of the Hokkaido Branch of the Japan Association for Medical Informatics, 15 Feb. 2025, Invited oral presentation
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

Introduction for Health Policy Studies　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
Teine Keinin-kai Hospital Expert Lecture, 24 Jan. 2025
[Invited]

(President's Designated Program) What's public health about? Is it tasty? (2024 Edition)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Committee on Young Members' Activities
The 83rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health, 29 Oct. 2024, Public discourse

Research related to the development of a machine learning-based system to support the certification review process for long-term care needs　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Hideto Takahashi, Jun Komiyama, Yoko Moriyama, Naoaki Kuroda, Tomoyuki Matsuda, Kazuhiro Abe, Takahiro Mori, Yoko Hamasaki, Ai Suzuki, Kazuaki Uda, Nanako Tamiya
The 83rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health, Oct. 2024, Poster presentation
[Domestic Conference]

Advancing Data-based Health Management in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
Advancing Digital Health & Medical AI, 06 Sep. 2024, The University of Melbourne & Hokkaido University, English
[Invited], [International presentation]

A story about a family physician who was supposed to do research in the U.S.
Kazuhiro Abe
D35 powered by Antaa, 19 Oct. 2023, Japanese, Media report

要介護認定審査において一次判定から二次判定で介護度が変更された要因の探索　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
小宮山 潤, 金 雪瑩, 松田 智行, 阿部 計大, 宇田 和晃, 森山 葉子, 田宮 菜奈子, 高橋 秀人
日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, Oct. 2023, 日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese
Oct. 2023 - Oct. 2023

To what extent is the "value of general practice" clear in Japan - Health Services Research
Takuya Aoki, Shuhei Yoshida, Kazuhiro Abe, Osamu Hamada
4th Primary Care Research Connect, 10 Dec. 2022, Nominated symposium
36703687, [Invited], [Domestic Conference]

AIによる要介護認定審査支援の開発にむけた全国調査 主治医意見書と重度化の関係　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
森山 葉子, 松田 智行, 阿部 計大, 森 隆浩, 黒田 直明, 田宮 菜奈子, 高橋 秀人
日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, Sep. 2022, 日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese
Sep. 2022 - Sep. 2022

AIによる要介護認定審査支援の開発にむけた全国調査 認定審査の実施方法と実態　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
松田 智行, 森山 葉子, 阿部 計大, 森 隆浩, 黒田 直明, 田宮 菜奈子, 高橋 秀人
日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, Sep. 2022, 日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese
Sep. 2022 - Sep. 2022

Meaning of long-term care in a common language - from analysis through Long-term care Information system For Evidence (LIFE), Health and Long-term care receipt data to improvement of the quality of care.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Nanako Tamiya, Nobuo Sakata, Kazuhiro Abe, Kazuaki Uda, Shota Hamada, Ai Suzuki
The 64th Annual Meeting of Japan Geriatrics Society, 02 Jun. 2022, Nominated symposium
[Invited]

Toward a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of long-term care services
Kazuhiro Abe
The 3rd Annual Meeting of Japanese Association for Home Care Medicine, 28 Nov. 2021, Nominated symposium
29382350, [Invited], [Domestic Conference]

Data Use in Public Health and Epidemiology of Infectious Disease　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
NEC AI platform division ”Data Utilization Study Session”, 13 Aug. 2020, Japanese, Public discourse
[Invited]

Association between the use of long-term services for home-dwelling older people at the end-of-life and place of death
Kazuhiro Abe, Atsushi Miyawaki, Yasuki Kobayashi, Taeko Watanabe, Nanako Tamiya
The 11th Annual Conference of Japan Primary Care Association, Jul. 2020, Japanese
29382350

若手医師からみた課題と提案　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
阿部 計大
日本医学会総会会誌, Apr. 2019, Japanese

終末期の訪問介護サービスの利用と患者の在宅死との関係
阿部計大, 宮脇敦士, 小林廉毅, 野口晴子, 高橋秀人, 田宮菜奈子
日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 09 Oct. 2018, Japanese, Oral presentation

研究と社会活動を通して、医療介護の持続可能性を高めたい
Kazuhiro Abe
coFFee doctors, Jul. 2018, Media report

若手医師のしゃべり場☆　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
松島和樹, 藤谷直明, 杉谷真季, 阿部計大, 三浦太郎, 森川暢, 豊田喜弘, 長野広之, 加藤大祐, 高石恵一, 高瀬義祥
第9回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Jun. 2018, Nominated symposium

専門医部会若手医師部門 若手医師のためのランチコン　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
藤谷直明, 杉谷真季, 阿部計大, 三浦太郎, 森川暢, 松島和樹, 豊田喜弘, 長野広之
第13回若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2018, Nominated symposium

一歩進んだ「カゼ」診療 漢方薬を切り札にする！　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
樫尾明彦, 阿部計大, 河内恵介, 児玉和彦, 今藤誠俊, 寺澤佳洋, 松本真一, 森川暢, 吉永亮, 渡辺一海
第13回若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2018, Public symposium

世界の家庭医の診療を通して自分の診療を振り返ろう～Think Globally, Act Locally～　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
原田直樹, 朝倉健太郎, 八百壮大, 阿部計大, 小林直子, 加藤大祐
第13回若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2018, Nominated symposium

アンケートから考えるプライマリケア医へのリハビリテーション医学の効果的な習得支援法
須田万豊, 相田万実子, 阿部計大, 井村春樹, 桂井隆明, 松浦広昂, 望月亮, 森川暢
日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会抄録集, 2018, Japanese

専門医部会若手医師部門『クルー100人プロジェクト』活動報告
藤谷直明, 藤谷直明, 杉谷真季, 阿部計大, 三浦太郎, 森川暢, 松島和樹, 松島和樹, 豊田喜弘, 長野広之
日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会抄録集, 2018, Japanese

公衆衛生学はキャリアに変化をもたらすのか？　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
IFMSA-Japan Public Health Training, Dec. 2017, Keynote oral presentation
[Invited]

統計ソフト(EZR)でデータ解析をしてみよう　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
Japan Young Psychiatrists Organization(14th Clinical Epidemiology Seminar), 11 Nov. 2017, Japanese, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

Health for All: Rising for our right to Universal Health Coverage　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Daisuke Kato, Momoka Kitani, Kazuhiro Abe, Tatsuki Ikejiri, Shoko Sakuraba, Satoru Ueda
Universal Health Coverage Forum 2017—Public Event, Nov. 2017, English, Public discourse
[Invited], [International presentation]

英語論文作成とプレゼンテーションのコツ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
海道 利実, 加藤 大祐, 阿部 計大, 三島 千明, 西川 佳孝, 柴田 綾子, 森本 佳奈, 飯田 康
ACP(米国内科学会)日本支部年次総会プログラム集, Jun. 2017, Japanese, Public discourse

若手医師交流会～専門医部会若手医師部門・専攻医部会コラボ企画　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
藤谷直明, 杉谷真季, 大澤さやか, 井上博人, 阿部計大, 森川暢
第8回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Apr. 2017, Nominated symposium

多職種で考える！患者さんに伝わる伝え方～ヘルスコミュニケーション～　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
柴田綾子, 市川衛, 徳田安春, 三島千明, 阿部計大, 十枝めぐみ, 末長泰則
第8回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Apr. 2017, Public symposium

リハビリテーション科医とプライマリケア医コラボ企画 リハ入門　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
鵜飼万実子, 阿部計大, 須田万豊, 望月亮, 松浦広昂
第8回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Apr. 2017, Public symposium

国際交流はじめの一歩　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
葛西龍樹, 増山由紀子, 朝倉健太郎, 大浦誠, 八百壮大, 原田直樹, 阿部計大, 小林直子, 加藤大祐, 佐治朝子, 坂井雄貴
第12回 若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2017, English, Public symposium

健康の社会的決定要因を知り、本質を突く力をつける！　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
柴田綾子, 坪谷透, 上島実佳子, 長谷田真帆, 阿部計大, 三島千明, 林伸宇, 加藤大祐
第12回 若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2017, Public symposium
[Domestic Conference]

全国介護給付費実態調査を用いた訪問診療を3か月以上継続できる要因の研究
阿部計大, 阿部計大, 小林廉毅, 川村顕, 野口晴子, 高橋秀人, 田宮菜奈子
日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 15 Oct. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation

若手医師部会交流企画　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
高柳亮, 藤谷直明, 阿部計大, 杉谷真季, 森川暢
第7回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Jun. 2016, Nominated symposium

リハビリテーション科医とプライマリケア医によるリハ入門　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
鵜飼万実子, 阿部計大, 井村春樹, 須田万豊, 松浦広昂, 森川暢
第11回若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2016, Public symposium

若手医師で20年後の医療を考える～保健医療2035～　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
柴田綾子, 井上真智子, 江副聡, 阿部計大, 三島千明
柴田綾子, 井上真智子, 江副聡, 阿部計大, 三島千明, Feb. 2016, Public symposium

世界の家庭医と「Link」しよう！！Let’s Think Globally　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
加藤大祐, 今藤誠俊, 小林直子, 三島千明, 阿部計大, 佐治朝子, 原田直樹, 大澤さやか
第11回若手医師のための家庭医療学冬期セミナー, Feb. 2016, Nominated symposium

全国介護給付費実態調査を用いた訪問診療と併用される介護サービスの記述研究
阿部計大, 阿部計大, 小林廉毅, 川村顕, 野口晴子, 高橋秀人, 田宮菜奈子
日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会抄録集, 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation

医師になってから学生時代の経験をどう活かすか　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Kazuhiro Abe
13th IFMSA-Japan National Assembly, Oct. 2015, Keynote oral presentation
[Invited]

地域医療連携ワークショップ ～ケースで学ぶ在宅医療との連携～　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
柴田綾子, 高山義浩, 洪英在, 阿部計大, 三島千明
第6回日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会, Jun. 2015, Public symposium

誤嚥性肺臓炎の一例
松浦広昂, 若林崇雄, 橋本知直, 阿部計大, 勝山陽太, 宇土有巣, 藤原昌平, 中島徳志, 小嶋一, 星哲哉
日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会抄録集, 2015, Japanese

Polypharmacyと低栄養状態は在宅医療早期終了のリスク
阿部計大, 小嶋一, 星哲也
日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会学術大会抄録集, 2014, Japanese, Oral presentation
日野原賞候補

Applied Health Care Management　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
MPH, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Review of least squares, difference-in-differences analysis, instrumental variable analysis, regression discontinuity design, panel data analysis, interrupted time series design, propensity score analysis, multilevel analysis
Apr. 2025 - Present

Applied Epidemiology: Epidemiological Research in Practice　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
MPH, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
Apr. 2025 - Present

Social Medicine Practice　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
Apr. 2025 - Present

Basic Health Care Management　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
MPH, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
Apr. 2025 - Present

Public Health　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
Apr. 2025 - Present

Seminar in International Cooperation for Medical Education　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
The University of Tokyo
Jan. 2024 - Jun. 2024

Introduction to Health Services Research　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
University of Tsukuba
2020

UHC Day 2019 - Lesson and message from Japanese experience
UHC Youth Network, Dec. 2019, UHC Youth Network has made short movies for sharing the lesson and message from the history of UHC in Japan, one of the world models of UHC. We filmed the speech or interview from seven persons who know Japan’s UHC history well and who contribute to create and maintain the system of UHC in Japan as a politician, an administrative officer, a medical provider, an academic, a member of civil society organization, and a goodwill ambassador.

They tell us what the difficulties of developing the UHC were, how they overcame the challenges, and the current situation of Japan’s UHC in the videos. Moreover, they have given youths useful messages to progress the UHC in our own country.

Universal Health Coverage - Message from Japanese Youth
UHC Youth Japan, Dec. 2017, This is the message film from Japanese Youth to the world. Japan has greatly developed Universal Health Coverage(UHC) for the past 60 years, and we have accomplished the chance to be well off by UHC. We want to promote how wonderful it is to live in the world of UHC, and will drive UHC forward taking the baton from the forerunners.

A chance for all.

--
Music: Rope Dancer - BONNIE PINK

Exploring ways to provide combined medical and long-term care services using big data
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
01 Apr. 2025 - 31 Mar. 2028
古元 重和, 小笠原 克彦, 阿部 計大
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, 25K13360

A descriptive study of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) of primary care using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB)
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Apr. 2022 - Mar. 2026
阿部 計大
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists, 東京大学, Principal investigator, 22K15662

The effectiveness of long-term care services for care-dependent older adults.
Takemi Program in International Health, Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health
Aug. 2020 - Jun. 2023
Japan Medical Association, Competitive research funding, ［Internationally co-authored］

The effectiveness of long-term care services offered prior to care recipients' home death
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity start-up
Aug. 2019 - Mar. 2022
Abe Kazuhiro
Even though 55% of the Japanese people 55 years and older express the wish to spend the end of their life at home, the country has a low proportion of in-home death (13.2%in 2017). This study found that accessibility of in-home medical care and in-home care services in the municipality of residence was partially responsible for whether or not care-dependent older persons could spend their final days at home. In addition, the use of in-home care services by care-dependent older people at the end of life was positively associated with in-home death. Therefore, municipal policymakers will need to enhance the provisioning system of in-home medical care and in-home care services and improve residents' access to them to fulfill the wishes of older adults for their final place of residence.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity start-up, The University of Tokyo, 19K24161

Health and Long-Term Care Policy Exchange　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
26 Mar. 2023 - Present
Presenter, Planner
Seminar

UHC Youth Network
Sep. 2017 - Present
Organizing member, Demonstrator, Investigator
Civic organization
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Youth Network was established in September 2017 as UHC Youth Japan 2017. The group is composed of young medical doctors, nurses, and students and aims at leading the advocacy role on UHC from youths’ viewpoints.

UHC Youth Network has conducted various activities, including drafting the first-ever Youth Statement on UHC to announce its summary at the UHC Forum 2017 Public Event, producing a short movie on UHC, holding workshops, and organizing an official Side Event at the Forum.

Advocacy team of Young Medical Doctors and Students
2017 - Present
Organizing member, Investigator
医学生と若手医師を取り巻く課題について調査・提言を行う有志組織。2017年12月厚生労働省「第5回医師の働き方改革に関する検討会」にて「壊れない医師・壊さない医療を目指して」を発表。

Japan Medical Association Junior Doctors Network
Oct. 2012 - Dec. 2024
Organizing member
Others

World Medical Association Junior Doctors Network
01 Oct. 2017 - Sep. 2018
Chief, Organizing member
Pr
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