Linking Social Cohesion to Biological Markers of Aging: Evidence from NHATS

TL;DR

This study shows that low social cohesion in older adults is linked to higher inflammation and worse health outcomes, suggesting that improving community connections could help aging populations.

Contribution

The study establishes a novel link between low social cohesion and elevated inflammatory biomarkers in older adults using NHATS data.

Findings

Low social cohesion is associated with higher levels of CRP and IL-6 after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Low social cohesion correlates with minority status, lower income, higher BMI, chronic conditions, and depression.

The findings suggest that improving social engagement could reduce inflammation and improve health outcomes in older adults.

Abstract

Interest in the complex intersection between social determinants of health and biological aging markers is growing. Social cohesion, a measure of community belonging, and inflammatory biomarkers, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP), have emerged as significant factors influencing age-related chronic conditions and functional decline among older adults. With data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we used logistic regression to assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables and low social cohesion, as well as multivariable linear regression to test the association between low social cohesion and IL-6 and CRP. In our sample of 4,648 older adults, the average age was 76 years old, majority female (55%), and non-Hispanic White (81%). We found that low social cohesion was associated with minority status, lower income, higher BMI, >3 chronic conditions, probable dementia, frailty, depression, and lack of walking for exercise. Additionally, low social cohesion was associated with higher levels of CRP and IL-6 after adjusting for the influence of sociodemographic variables. Understanding the link between social cohesion and inflammation is particularly relevant in aging populations, as with age, social networks often diminish, and the prevalence of inflammatory conditions increases. This research provides critical insights into the potential benefits of improved social engagement and feelings of community, and the relationship to inflammation and other health outcomes among older adults. These findings establish a target for health policy and future intervention research, namely improving health outcomes through a specific focus on improving social cohesion and community.