Author: Jasmine Mah, Kenneth Rockwood, Susan Stevens, Janice Keefe, Melissa K Andrew

Publication Date: April 11, 2022

Description:

Background: Social vulnerability occurs when individuals have been relatively disadvantaged by the social determinants of health. Complex interventions that reduce social vulnerability have the potential to improve health in older adults but robust evidence is lacking.

Methods: A mixed methods systematic review was conducted. Five databases and targeted grey literature were searched for primary studies of all study types according to predetermined criteria. Data were extracted from each distinct intervention and quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Effectiveness data were synthesized using vote counting by direction of effect, combining p values and Albatross plots.

Results: Across 38 included studies, there were 34 distinct interventions categorized as strengthening social supports and communities, helping older adults and their caregivers navigate health and social services, enhancing neighbourhood and built environments, promoting education and providing economic stability. There was evidence to support positive influences on function, cognition, subjective health, and reduced hospital utilization. The evidence was mixed for non-hospital healthcare utilization and insufficient to determine effect on mortality.

Conclusion: Despite high heterogeneity and varying quality of studies, attention to reducing an older adult’s social vulnerability assists in improving older adults’ health.

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Keywords: social determinants, older adults, complex interventions, social frality