Comparison of quality of life between elderly and non-elderly adult residents in Okuma town, Japan, in a post-disaster setting

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 2; p. e0281678
• Main Authors: Hande, Varsha, Orita, Makiko, Matsunaga, Hitomi, Kashiwazaki, Yuya, Taira, Yasuyuki, Takamura, Noboru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 14.02.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Auroral kilometric radiation; Cities; Comparative analysis; Demographics; Depth perception; Disasters; Earth Sciences; Electric utilities; Evacuation of civilians; Evacuations & rescues; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Health aspects; Health care reform; Health promotion; Health risks; Health services; Households; Humans; Japan; Japan - epidemiology; Medicine and Health Sciences; Middle Aged; Municipalities; Nuclear accidents; Nuclear accidents & safety; Nuclear energy; Nuclear power plants; Older people; People and Places; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Radiation; Risk management; Risk perception; Risk reduction; Safety and security measures; Social aspects; Social Sciences; Surveys; Towns; Treated water; Water depth; Young Adult; Japan
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281678
• ISSN: 1932-6203

With the growing elderly population who are susceptible to poor health, improvement of their quality of life is essential. In the post-disaster setting of the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident, affected municipalities such as Okuma town commenced their recovery processes and lifted evacuation orders in 2019. This study examines the differences in self-reported mental and physical health status, social functioning, risk perception, and intention to return between elderly (age ≥65 years) and non-elderly (age 20–64 years) residents. Questionnaires were distributed to current residents and evacuees of Okuma. Results revealed that the elderly had a 1.4 times higher odds ratio (95%CI 1.0–1.8, p = 0.034) for having anxiety regarding radiation-related health effects on future generations and a 1.3 times higher odds ratio (95%CI 1.1–1.5, p = 0.001) for wanting to know about the release of FDNPP-treated water into the environment than the younger group. Elderly residents also demonstrated a 2.2 times higher odds ratio for reporting poor physical health than younger residents. Clearing misconceptions and disseminating coherent information will reduce risk perception among this group. Further in-depth research regarding the disposal of FDNPP-treated water and its perceived risks is required. Health promotion through the encouragement of social participation, improvement of surroundings to facilitate healthy behaviors, and enhanced access to health services will improve the quality of life of elderly Okuma residents.