Social challenges such as isolation linked to earlier death

It's unlikely that our physical health is the only aspect that affects how long we live. According to a recent study, social aspects of older individuals' lives may have an impact on their longevity.

Researchers questioned 8,250 people 65 and older for the Harvard-led study, which was published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on February 7, 2023. 22% passed away in the subsequent four years. Eight out of 183 potential characteristics were shown to be stronger predictors of participant fatalities during those four years, according to the researchers. These included living in an unclean neighbourhood, feeling little control over their financial situation, not working for pay, not volunteering, and receiving less courtesy or respect from others. They also included feeling isolated, seeing their kids less than once a year, and not being involved in their lives.

  

According to the study's authors, the findings indicate that social lifestyles can help predict a person's lifespan just as much as physical health can. They created a 10-question survey that could identify people who might benefit from interventions to address social issues that are negatively affecting their health. They used age, gender, and social variables to predict lifespan.

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