Gesundheitswesen 2021; 83(08/09): 719
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1732182
Donnerstag 23.09.2021
Vorträge

The prevalence of social isolation in an urban adult population - Results of the Leipzig Population-Based Study of Adults

S Röhr
1   Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
F Wittmann
1   Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
C Engel
2   Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie (IMISE), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
C Enzenbach
2   Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie (IMISE), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
M Löffler
2   Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie (IMISE), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
SG Riedel-Heller
1   Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
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Purpose Social isolation has strong negative effects on health across the lifespan. However, the prevalence of social isolation is not well known. We therefore aimed to inspect the prevalence of social isolation in an adult population as well as prevalence differences in relation to age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods Database was the baseline survey of the Leipzig population-based study of adults (LIFE-Adult Study, n = 10,000). The short form of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) was used to assess social isolation with an established cutoff score of <12 points. Sampling weights were applied to account for differences in sampling fractions in regard to the general population.

Results Data were available for 9,392 study participants; 51.6% were women, the mean age was 45.2 years (SD = 17.3). The prevalence of social isolation was 12.3% (95%CI = 11.6-13.0) across ages 18-79 years. Social isolation was more prevalent in men (13.8%, 95%CI = 12.8-14.8) compared to women (10.9%, 95%CI = 10.0-11.8; Χ2 (1)=18.83, p<.001). Prevalence of social isolation showed an increase with increasing age from 5.4% (95%CI = 4.7-6.0) in the youngest age group (18-39 years) to 21.7% (95%CI = 19.5-24.0) in the oldest age group (70-79 years; Χ2 (4)=389.51, p< .001). Furthermore, prevalence of social isolation differed according to SES; showing lower prevalence in high SES (7.2%, 95%CI = 6.0-8.4) and higher prevalence in low SES (18.6%, 95%CI = 16.9-20.3; Χ2 (2)=115.78; p<.001).

Conclusion Social isolation is particularly frequent in old age and in those with low SES, hence in vulnerable groups. In light of population ageing, the number of older individuals being social isolated can be expected to increase. Specifically with regard to the health consequences of social isolation, this calls for public health awareness and solutions against social isolation.



Publication History

Article published online:
02 September 2021

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