AS POPULATIONS age, especially in the United States, where nearly 20% are expected to be over 65 by 2030, understanding what contributes to healthy ageing has never been more important. A recent study sheds new light on how staying socially active can play a key role in living a longer, healthier life.
Social and community participation, such as volunteering, engaging in hobbies, and spending time with family, is increasingly recognised as essential to both physical and mental well-being. This study found that such engagement significantly lowers the risk of death over four years, with charity work, seeing grandchildren, and being involved in sports or clubs having the strongest effects.
What makes these findings particularly striking is the discovery that social engagement seems to slow biological ageing, a marker believed to better predict mortality than chronological age. Researchers also found that physical activity, encouraged by social involvement, played a substantial role in mediating this relationship.
Though previous research has established that social isolation is harmful to health, the mechanisms behind the benefits of social engagement have been less clear. This study helps to close that gap, suggesting a complex mix of psychological, behavioural, and biological pathways at work. Reduced stress, improved mood, increased physical activity, and healthier habits all appear to contribute to better health outcomes.
However, the study also highlights challenges. Overall levels of social engagement were low, and the findings cannot confirm cause and effect. Moreover, the study population was not very diverse, limiting wider applicability. Despite these limitations, the data strongly support promoting social interaction as part of public health strategies for older adults.
In summary, being socially active isn’t just enjoyable; it could also be one of the keys to a longer life. Future research will be crucial to determine whether boosting social engagement can lead to measurable improvements in health and ageing.
Reference
Abugroun A et al. Low social engagement and risk of death in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025;DOI:10.1111/jgs.19511.
