Social engagement may help older individuals live longer, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed data from 2,268 US individuals ages 60 years and older who completed the Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaires and provided blood samples in 2016. They found a strong association between engaging in social activities and a low risk of four-year mortality. Overall, high social engagement was associated with a 42% lower mortality risk than low engagement.

Specific activities such as charity work, engaging with grandchildren, and participation in sports or social clubs, were particularly significant predictors of a reduced risk of dying.

Also, analyses indicated that decelerated biological aging and greater physical activity levels played key roles in facilitating the beneficial relationship between social engagement and lower mortality rates.

“Staying socially active is more than a lifestyle choice. It is closely linked to healthier aging and longevity,” said lead author Ashraf Abugroun, MBBS, MPH, of the University of California, San Francisco. “These results underscore how participating in community life contributes to better health in older adults.”

To download the full study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, click here