Social Isolation Linked to Increased Risk of Diabetes in Older Adults

Strategic Insights -

A study presented at the ENDO 2025 annual meeting in San Francisco, California, has found a significant link between social isolation and an increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood sugar in older adults. The research, which analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found that socially isolated older adults were 34% more likely to have diabetes and 75% more likely to have poor blood sugar control than those who were not isolated.

The study's lead researcher, Samiya Khan, M.D., of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, emphasized the importance of clinicians recognizing social isolation as a critical social determinant of health when caring for older patients. With the rapidly growing aging population in the United States and globally, and the widespread prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among older adults, this finding has significant implications for public health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 3,833 adults aged 60 to 84, representing about 38 million older people in the U.S.
  • After adjusting for other factors, socially isolated older adults were 34% more likely to have diabetes and 75% more likely to have poor blood sugar control than those who were not isolated.
  • The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003-2008, which is a comprehensive survey program designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S.
  • The findings suggest that social isolation may be an important but often overlooked risk factor for diabetes and poor blood sugar management in older adults.
  • The study's lead researcher, Samiya Khan, M.D., emphasized the importance of clinicians recognizing social isolation as a critical social determinant of health when caring for older patients.

Statistics:

  • 34%: The increase in the risk of diabetes among socially isolated older adults compared to those who were not isolated.
  • 75%: The increase in the risk of poor blood sugar control among socially isolated older adults compared to those who were not isolated.
  • 38 million: The number of older adults in the U.S. represented by the 3,833 adults aged 60 to 84 studied in the research.
  • 2003-2008: The time period during which the data was collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Sources:

NewsRx LLC, "SAN FRANCISCO-Socially isolated older adults are at increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood sugar," NewsRx, August 3, 2025, https://www.medicalletter.org/cdc-fda/2025-08-03/social-isolation-linked-increased-risk-diabetes-older-adults

The Endocrine Society, "ENDO 2025: Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society," The Endocrine Society, 2025, https://www.endocrine.org/endo-2025