Elizabeth Necka, Program Director, Individual Behavioral Processes (IBP) Branch, Division of Behavioral and Social Research (DBSR) discusses need for social isolation and loneliness research in her NIA Blog.
With nearly 70% of Americans over the age of 65 now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many older Americans are once again safely hugging their (fully vaccinated) loved ones and returning to regular activities after more than a year’s hiatus. We’re all glad to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but in addition to the tragic loss of life, COVID-19 magnified the already-dire problem of social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
NIA has a robust history of promoting research to help understand how we can reduce loneliness and enhance social connection among older adults to improve physical and mental health outcomes. The pandemic underscored that rigorous research on the health impact of social isolation and loneliness — and the development of interventions to prevent or address these conditions — are needed now more than ever.
See full blog entry, “After COVID, research on social isolation and loneliness is needed more than ever.”