Innovative Strategies to Combat Social Isolation

Social isolation is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of health across the lifespan, with particularly profound consequences in older adulthood. Evidence links social isolation and loneliness to heightened risks of dementia, depression, functional decline, and cardiovascular disease. As global populations age, the demand for feasible, affordable, and accessible solutions to mitigate isolation and its adverse effects has become an urgent public health and societal priority.



Despite growing awareness, much of the scholarship to date has emphasized description and risk identification, with less focus on practical, scalable strategies that can be adopted across diverse contexts. This special issue seeks to advance the field by highlighting innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that move beyond problem identification to solutions that can inform practice, policy, and future research.



We invite submissions that examine practical interventions, technologies, and policies designed to reduce social isolation among aging populations. Manuscripts should emphasize actionable insights and replicable models that have potential for wide-scale implementation. Interdisciplinary contributions drawing from public health, epidemiology, gerontology, psychology, sociology, healthcare, and technology fields are particularly encouraged.



Potential topics include, but are not limited to:



· Practical Solutions Across the Lifespan



o Evidence-based community initiatives, intergenerational programs, and neighborhood or community-based models



o Feasible and affordable interventions tailored to rural, urban, and under-resourced settings



o Collaborative approaches involving healthcare systems, nonprofits, and governmental sectors, including housing, transportation, employment, etc.



· Technology and Innovation



o Digital platforms, telehealth, social robots, and assistive technologies that foster social connectedness



o Strategies to reduce the digital divide and promote digital literacy among older adults



o Evaluations of hybrid models that combine in-person and virtual engagement



· Psychosocial Dimensions



o The role of social networks, caregiving relationships, and cultural factors in mitigating isolation



o Interventions aimed at resilience, well-being, and mental health promotion



o Longitudinal perspectives on psychosocial determinants of isolation



· Health Outcomes and Policy Implications



o Mechanistic and epidemiological links between social isolation and dementia, cardiovascular disease, or other health outcomes



o Integration of social health into models of healthcare delivery and long-term care



o Policy innovations that promote age-friendly communities and reduce systemic barriers to social participation