Abstract for: Impacts of Salt Intake Reduction Interventions on Medical and Long-term Care Costs in Japan

Excessive salt consumption is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) within the Japanese population. This study endeavors to examine the potential health and economic outcomes resulting from the diminution of salt intake via food reformulation and adopting a diet low in salt among the Japanese populace. A system dynamics model was developed to evaluate the impact of interventions designed to curtail salt consumption on the average dietary salt intake, the prevalence of salt-related illnesses, and their consequential costs at a national scale in Japan. The findings suggest that, all of the proposed interventions, including mandatory and voluntary food reformulation, as well as the population adopting a low-salt diet, significantly contribute to reducing salt intake, chronic diseases, and social security expenditures. Hence, Japan’s endeavor to mitigate salt intake by implementing strategies such as promoting low-salt diets among the population and food reformulation, particularly through mandatory reformulation measures, is likely to confer significant public health benefits.