This study shows that dual-task NSE is capable of improving cognitive and gait performance in healthy older adults. Our results indicate that NSE offers an option for a large segment of the older population who need an easier way to maintain their cognitive health and gait function.

Poor social support in social networks for older men living alone may be etiologically associated with increased risk of institutionalization in rural area. Further study with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm this finding. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 867-872.

In a depopulated region where population aging is advancing, it is necessary to establish a method so local residents themselves can be actively involved in older people’s health promotion. Net Step Exercise, a novel dual-task walking program, introduced residents to opportunities for physical activities and social participation without any health specialist support. In one depopulated town (Ikeda, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido, Japan), volunteer residents have held Net Step Exercise classes throughout the town since 2007. We longitudinally examined the influence of volunteer-led Net Step Exercise class participation on subsequent self-rated health in all individuals aged 70–79 years living in Ikeda. A total of 662 people who completed a baseline mail-in questionnaire survey in 2012 were followed until 2014. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association with self-rated health after two years of class participation once a month or more at baseline, after controlling for confounds such as age, sex, years of education, living alone, baseline self-rated health, regular exercise, and other physical activities. The odds ratio of poor self-rated health in older people who participated in classes was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34–0.85) compared to older people not participating in classes. Even after confounding factors were adjusted, the odds ratio of class participation was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29–0.85). This study showed that participation in volunteer-led Net Step Exercise might prevent poor self-rated health. Such Net Step Exercise classes are a feasible method for older people’s health promotion in depopulated municipalities.

Background Seven‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced to Japan in 2009, and after that invasive pneumococcal disease has gradually decreased. There are few data, however, on the effectiveness of PCV7 against acute otitis media (AOM) in Japan. Methods From 10 daycare centers in Sapporo, Japan, 614 parents participated in the survey. Each parent reported whether their child subject had received one or more doses of PCV7, and, if so, the exact dates of receiving PCV7 were verified by reviewing their maternal and child health handbooks marked by a pediatrician. AOM was diagnosed by otorhinolaryngologist or pediatrician. Cox's proportional hazard model was used for calculating the hazard ratio (HR) of AOM incidence reduced by PCV7 inoculation. Results Inoculation of PCV7 significantly reduced the risk of AOM (crude HR, 0.63; 95%CI: 0.50–0.79). Adjusting for potentially confounding variables reduced the risk further (adjusted HR, 0.32; 95%CI: 0.23–0.44). On stratification by subject age on 30 April 2012, PCV7 was significantly associated with a reduced risk of AOM in both infants <3 years old, and in children ≥3 years. Conclusion PCV7 is effectiveness in reducing the risk of AOM both in infants <3 years old, and in young children ≥3 years in Japan.

Our study suggests that TIV is effective, especially in subjects aged 1 year. Further studies are necessary in different seasons, places, and populations to clarify the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in children.