Overview
- Researchers tracked more than 2,000 men aged 65 and over across an eight‑year interval, capturing health measures and a wide range of social activities.
- Higher social activity at the first assessment was associated with a 31% lower risk of developing frailty, and increases in activity over time were linked to a 23% lower risk.
- Greater engagement was also associated with reversal of early frailty, whereas higher starting loneliness and rising loneliness predicted increased frailty risk.
- The study was led by Newcastle University and part‑funded by the British Heart Foundation, with findings reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
- Authors highlighted practical implications such as NHS social prescribing and age‑friendly community approaches, while noting the evidence is observational and limited to men.