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Loneliness and social isolation correlate with multiple modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia
Larissa Bartlett, Hannah L. Fair, Aidan David Bindoff, Alex Kitsos, Mohammad Shoaib Hamrah, Eddy Roccati, James Clement Vickers. Journal of Public Health, 2025-02-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract Aim Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia, but the pathways of influence are not yet clear. Subject and methods Levels of risk for nine modifiable health risk factors were calculated by applying Australian risk reduction guidelines to cohort study survey data. Serial multiple linear regression models were used to test associations by risk level, and a partial correlation network was used to map the directness of significant relationships. Results Regression models indicated that higher social isolation and loneliness were associated with high-risk status on seven of the nine risk factors (mean age 63 years, n = 6670). However, the network analysis suggested that the size and supportiveness of social networks directly influenced rates of physical and cognitive activity, smoking rates, and dietary adherence, while loneliness only directly influenced smoking and higher body mass index (BMI). We found evidence suggesting an indirect influence on the management of cardiometabolic risk factors and alcohol consumption. Conclusion The direct associations identified may present potential intervention targets, while the indirect relationships suggest that other factors are influential in the pathway linking social isolation and loneliness with chronic disease and dementia. These results can be used to inform longitudinal studies to investigate underlying mechanisms in the relationships between social isolation, loneliness, and health risk behaviors.
Key findings
- Serial multiple linear regression models were used to test associations by risk level, and a partial correlation network was used to map the directness of significant relationships.
- Results Regression models indicated that higher social isolation and loneliness were associated with high-risk status on seven of the nine risk factors (mean age 63 years, n = 6670).
- However, the network analysis suggested that the size and supportiveness of social networks directly influenced rates of physical and cognitive activity, smoking rates, and dietary adherence, while loneliness only directly influenced smoking and higher body mass index (BMI).
- We found evidence suggesting an indirect influence on the management of cardiometabolic risk factors and alcohol consumption.
- Conclusion The direct associations identified may present potential intervention targets, while the indirect relationships suggest that other factors are influential in the pathway linking social isolation and loneliness with chronic disease and dementia.
Why it matters
In 6670 adults with a mean age of 63, higher social isolation and loneliness were associated with high-risk status on seven of nine modifiable health risk factors, and network analysis suggested that social network size and support directly influenced physical and cognitive activity, smoking, and diet. The authors state these direct associations may be potential intervention targets, but the study did not test whether changing them prevents or treats Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designcohort study
- Participants6,670
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Public Health) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Journal of Public Health: journal h-index 137 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A cohort study following people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 6,670 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author James Clement Vickers: h-index 58 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | University of Tasmania: institution h-index 564 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Bartlett, L., Fair, H. L., Bindoff, A. D., Kitsos, A., Hamrah, M. S., Roccati, E., et al. (2025). Loneliness and social isolation correlate with multiple modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02412-5
Vancouver
Bartlett L, Fair HL, Bindoff AD, Kitsos A, Hamrah MS, Roccati E, et al. Loneliness and social isolation correlate with multiple modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia. Journal of Public Health. 2025. doi:10.1007/s10389-025-02412-5.
BibTeX
@article{bartlett2025-6ed56966,
author = {Bartlett, Larissa and Fair, Hannah L. and Bindoff, Aidan David and Kitsos, Alex and Hamrah, Mohammad Shoaib and Roccati, Eddy and Vickers, James Clement},
title = {{Loneliness and social isolation correlate with multiple modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases including dementia}},
journal = {Journal of Public Health},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1007/s10389-025-02412-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02412-5}
}
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