Considerable international evidence demonstrates that various aspects of social engagement are associated with better health and health outcomes.
In some situations social factors may even have as much impact as smoking, hypertension, obesity or physical activity on health and the risk of dying.
InterRAI assessment data will be used to identify risk factors for reduced social engagement and to better understand what makes a difference across diverse older people looking across gender, ethnicities, and where they live in New Zealand.
Principal Investigators
Dr Hamish Jamieson, University of Otago, Christchurch
Dr Sally Keeling, University of Otago, Christchurch
Funded by
National Science Challenge: Risk factors for social engagement
Articles about the effects of loneliness and isolation
Research seeks to shed light on growing loneliness among the elderly