We're failing to address seniors' social isolation, a serious public health threat, according to a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Details: The report concluded that almost a quarter of Americans 65 and older who live in community settings have few relationships or infrequent social contact, the Wall Street Journal reports.
- Research has shown that isolation is associated with an increased risk of early death.
It calls for HHS to create a national resource center for treating the issue, and for health care providers to monitor their patients for signs of loneliness.
- It also said that Medicaid and private insurance, which are already increasingly addressing social determinants of health, should also address loneliness and isolation.
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