Social Determinants of Physical Frailty

Social determinants are foundational conditions of our daily lives: where we reside; access to educational and occupational opportunities, healthy foods, and spaces for physically activity; and options for healthcare and social supports, among other factors. We recently explored the social determinants of physical frailty in a narrative review book chapter published in Frailty: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assessment, Management, and Prevention (2024).

In summarizing the existing research on key social determinants and their associations with physical frailty, we found that evidence is varied. Research to date indicates that positive social / environmental factors, such as greater income, less exposure to pollution, and reduced loneliness, are often associated with decreased levels of physical frailty. However, more research is needed to improve our understanding of how education, access to healthcare , housing, minoritized status, and social capital can impact physical frailty.

We concluded this review with the some recommended strategies to serve as a launching point for future initiatives to address these multifaceted social determinants on physical frailty:

• Provide programs and resources to reduce poverty and food insecurity, and bolster education and job options;

• Increase awareness and education among healthcare providers regarding the impact of social determinants on physical frailty; similarly, increase awareness among frailty science researchers

• Improve/ design neighborhoods/communical spaces to encourage activity and social interaction

• Prioritize efforts to combat racism and discrimination, with a specifc focus on addressing the needs of older adults in minoritized populations

• Support initiatives to address loneliness and depression, and to build social support for older adults

Overall, this is an area that is in need of more studies and conceptual thinking. Please reach out if you are interested to discuss / collaborate.

Thanks for reading.