Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2025 Mar;29(1):53-57. 10.4235/agmr.24.0112.

Impact of Japan’s Revised Infectious Disease Control Law on Older Adults’ Social Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Iwai K
• Kubo Y
• Yamazaki T
• Hayashi T

• KMID: 2566106
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.24.0112

Abstract

Background
In May 2023, Japan reclassified coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) under the Infectious Disease Control Law. However, there have been insufficient examinations on how the change in classification has impacted citizens’ lives. This study examined the impact of revisions to the Infectious Disease Control Law in Japan on the social frailty and social life of older adults in the community.
Methods
From mid-March to mid-April 2023, a self-administered survey targeting community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and over was conducted by mail, before the revision of the Infectious Disease Control Law. From mid-February to mid-March 2024, after the revision of the law, a second survey was conducted among those who had responded to the first one. Ultimately, data from 240 cases were collected. The survey included social information such as mask-wearing when going out, status of long-term care insurance, presence of polypharmacy, sleep status, long outings, presence of COVID-19 infection, presence of post-COVID-19 syndrome (if infected), social frailty, and the Kihon Checklist, alongside basic demographic information.
Results
After the revision of the Infectious Disease Control Law, there was an increase in the number of individuals receiving benefits from long-term care insurance and those identified as socially frail. However, no significant differences were observed in the other surveyed items.
Conclusion
The increase in socially frail individuals and those with long-term care insurance suggests that, despite the revision of the Infectious Disease Control Law, the connections within the local community that had once weakened due to the COVID-19 pandemic have not been fully restored.

Keyword

COVID-19; Infectious Disease Control Law; Social Frailty; Kihon Checklist