Home › Research › Disparities
Rural-Urban Differences in Social Isolation and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults in India
Aarushi Vatsyayan, Nasim Ferdows. Innovation in Aging, 2025-12-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract Background Social isolation is a well-documented risk factor for dementia, but its impact varies by demographic and geographic context. Older adults in India face unique structural and social challenges that may exacerbate dementia risk, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access and support networks are weaker. Understanding these disparities is critical for designing targeted interventions that address region-specific needs. Methods This study utilizes data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) to examine differences in social isolation between rural and urban older adults (ages 45+). We conducted a descriptive analysis to explore variations in social isolation patterns, marital status, family structure, and community engagement. Key variables include demographics, health indicators (Alzheimer’s/dementia history and treatment), family structure, and psychosocial factors (loneliness, depression, and social engagement). Results Among 71,513 participants, rural adults exhibited higher rates of social isolation than urban counterparts. Rural older adults were more likely to be married (70.16% vs. 66.49%) but reported lower levels of community engagement. Additionally, rural participants experienced loneliness more frequently, with 22.08% reporting feeling lonely sometimes (vs. 20.04% urban) and 3.79% feeling lonely most/all of the time (vs. 3.51% urban). Conclusion Older adults in rural India experience higher social isolation due to limited social and healthcare resources. This study highlights the need for community-based programs, strengthened family and social networks, and improved access to mental health support in rural settings.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Vatsyayan, A., & Ferdows, N. (2025). Rural-Urban Differences in Social Isolation and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults in India. Innovation in Aging. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3120
Vancouver
Vatsyayan A, Ferdows N. Rural-Urban Differences in Social Isolation and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults in India. Innovation in Aging. 2025. doi:10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3120.
BibTeX
@article{vatsyayan2025-c532d11b,
author = {Vatsyayan, Aarushi and Ferdows, Nasim},
title = {{Rural-Urban Differences in Social Isolation and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults in India}},
journal = {Innovation in Aging},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3120},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3120}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results Among 71,513 participants, rural adults exhibited higher rates of social isolation than urban counterparts.
Why it matters
This study found that rural older adults in India had higher rates of social isolation and loneliness than urban counterparts. It describes differences in social isolation but does not test a treatment or prevention for dementia.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Disparities →
Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Participants71,513
- Effect size70.16%; 66.49%; 22.08%
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Innovation in Aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Innovation in Aging: journal h-index 48 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same 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 | 4 / 4 | 71,513 participants |
| Effect reported | 2 / 3 | Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test |
| 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 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.1× 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 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Nasim Ferdows: h-index 6 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Northeastern University: institution h-index 706 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Related studies in Disparities
Also tagged “biobank”
1,084 studies in the library carry the topic tag “biobank”; these are this study's neighbours in a fixed, alphabetical-by-hash tour of them, not the closest in content. All 1,084 tagged studies.