Reflections on measures of social isolation among older adults

In 2020, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine reported on opportunities for the healthcare system to address social isolation and loneliness, which are risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Shortly after the report was released, the COVID-19 pandemic ensued — which pushed social isolation up the research and public health agendas as broad swathes of the population experienced this phenomenon. Studies demonstrate social isolation as a key risk factor for adverse physical, mental and cognitive health outcomes. Despite these implications, the research community lacks consensus on how to measure social isolation, which hinders progress toward solutions to combat this challenge.