Advancing the Science of Social Connection Across the Life-Course: The Next Generation of Measurement in the United States

About This Grant

PROJECT ABSTRACT Social isolation, loneliness, and social connection are gaining global attention due to their profound impacts on the health and well-being of older adults. In 2023, advisories by the Office of the Surgeon General, legislation introduced by United States Senator Murphy and Representative Flood, and a Commission on Social Connection by the World Health Organization (WHO) all demonstrated urgency in addressing an “epidemic” of loneliness and social isolation. Central to advancing the field is updating existing measures of social connection and developing better instruments for assessing social isolation and loneliness that can fully capture the experience of today’s older adults. This two-day scientific meeting is therefore focused on advancing the science of measurement of social connection for older adults through an interdisciplinary approach. It will further support early-stage researchers and nurture national networking and collaboration. The following aims are proposed: Aim 1) To identify priorities in what should be included in measurements across settings, populations, and evaluation goals; Aim 2) To advance a national agenda to address gaps in measurement across aging populations, creating a foundation for future discussions and conferences; and Aim 3) To provide mentorship to, and create community amongst, early-stage investigators focused on social connection research. The scientific meeting will bring together US-based researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners with expertise in social connection across varied scientific disciplines (e.g. social and health sciences) and interested parties (e.g. academia, community-based, policy, industry). Our approach will largely rely on a workshop format to enable open discussion on the major challenges and gaps in measurement across settings, priorities for aligning measures, and innovations in methods to gather data. We will support early-stage investigators through travel stipends, mentor-mentee pairing, and an aims workshop. In addition, we will generate clear recommendations for multiple interested parties through a peer-reviewed convening paper, a policy brief, and online materials. Taken together, the scientific meeting will serve as a critical starting point to advance the science of loneliness, social isolation, and social connection measurement among older adults. It will build meaningful national collaborations, support early-stage investigators, and inform measurement considerations for funders of social connection research. This conference will serve as a basis for future R13 applications to hold interdisciplinary national meetings, including around innovative interventions and technologies.