Social Isolation: An Unequally Distributed Health Hazard

Social isolation is a potent predictor of poor health, mortality, and dementia risk. A great deal research across national contexts provides causal evidence for these linkages identifies key explanatory mechanisms through which affects health. Research on social recognizes that some people are more likely than others to be isolated, but over the past several decades, researchers have focused primarily consequences health rather systematic assessment conditions foster life course. In this article, we review available inequities in develop conceptual framework guide future structural systems fuel Future work area has potential identify root causes inequality isolation, as well targeted policy levers reduce vulnerable populations.