A Hidden Crisis: The Growing Threat of Food Insecurity Among Older Adults

The source material reports on new research demonstrating a direct causal link between social isolation and a faster rate of cognitive decline in older adults, emphasizing that this effect is independent of whether a person subjectively feels lonely. Based on an analysis of over 137,000 cognitive tests from thousands of individuals over 14 years, the study found that objective social isolation—measured by factors like community participation—reliably accelerates cognitive deterioration. Researchers from the University of St Andrews concluded that reducing social isolation offers a protective neurological effect across all demographic groups, including different genders, races, and education levels, highlighting it as a crucial public health priority for combating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, strengthening social connection is presented as an important strategy for protecting later-life cognitive function.

Original article: https://foodtank.com/news/2025/11/a-hidden-crisis-the-growing-threat-of-food-insecurity-among-older-adults/