Social Isolation, Loneliness and Health Among Older Adults

To examine the relationship of social isolation, loneliness and health outcomes among older adults.

Using data from the Leave Behind Questionnaire of the Health and Retirement Study (2006 and 2008), (n = 11,825) several indicators of social isolation were scaled and the Hughes 3-Item Loneliness Scale was used. Two measures of health (self-rated health and mental health conditions) were examined using logistic regression.