Social isolation

…trumps loneliness as early death indicator in old age, according to a new study. Unless being active and connected on social media networks counts to counter physical isolation, I'm toast. Truly screwed, thank you very much. 

Social isolation in old age significantly increases the risk of an early death and outstrips loneliness as a factor associated with mortality, a UK study has found. 

The new findings, published in the journal PNAS, are based on a study of 6,500 men and women aged 52 and older enrolled in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in 2004, and assessed the participants’ risk of death through to March 2012. 

The study assessed social isolation based on marital status, frequency of contact with family and friends, and participation in community organisations.

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