Health Risks Posed by Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2026 | Viewed by 19
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Social isolation and loneliness encapsulate the objective and subjective dimensions of social disconnectedness. Social isolation reflects a quantitative assessment of an individual’s social network, focusing on metrics such as size, diversity, and frequency of contact. It signifies an actual dearth of social connections. As for loneliness, it is a subjective experience marked by a discrepancy between one’s desired and actual social relationships. Evidence consistently shows that individuals with weaker social ties face a higher risk of adverse health outcomes.
This Special Issue seeks research on social isolation and loneliness, and their associated health risks in older populations. We particularly focus on how these factors impact ageing health and well-being across domains like mental health, injuries, and noncommunicable diseases. Contributions should aim to enhance the survival, health, and overall well-being of older adults.
Dr. Zhenjie Wang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- social isolation
- loneliness
- well-being
- health
- mental health
- risk factor
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