Higher Social Engagement Tied to Lower Four-Year Risk for Death in Older Adults
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- Higher social engagement in adults 60 years and older is associated with reduced mortality risk, possibly due partly to decreased biological aging and higher levels of physical activity, according to a study published online May 21 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Ashraf Abugroun, M.B.B.S, M.P.H., from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues investigated the biological, behavioral, and psychological pathways mediating the relationship between social engagement and mortality risk. The analysis included data from 2,268 participants (aged 60 years and older) in the Health and Retirement Study.
The researchers found that higher social engagement was associated with lower all-cause mortality rates over four years of follow-up. Compared with the low and moderate engagement groups, the high social engagement group had a lower median biological age, healthier behaviors, and lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. High social engagement was significantly associated with lower mortality risk versus low engagement (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.58). This effect was partially mediated by regular physical activity (16 percent) and decelerated biological age (15 percent), but no significant mediating effect was seen for high depressive symptoms, excess alcohol use, and tobacco use.
"Staying socially active is more than a lifestyle choice. It is closely linked to healthier aging and longevity," Abugroun said in a statement. "These results underscore how participating in community life contributes to better health in older adults."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted May 2025
Read this next
32 Percent of U.S. Adults Consumed Fast Food on a Given Day in 2021 to 2023
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- Over 30 percent of adults and children consumed fast food on a given day during August 2021 to August 2023, according to two reports from the National...
Disparities Seen in Continuous Glucose Monitor Rx by Language Preference
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), disparities in continuous glucose monitor (CGM) prescriptions are seen by language preference, with less access...
Survey Shows Few Adults Recognize Testicular Cancer as Affecting Young Men
FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 -- Only one in 10 U.S. adults correctly identified testicular cancer as most commonly affecting men under age 40, according to a survey released June16 by...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.