Gutiérrez-Robledo LM, Avila-Funes JA
J Frailty Aging 2012;1:13-7
Publication date: March 1, 2012
Summary
Research on the determinants of adult and old-adult health recognizes the need to incorporate earlier life circumstances, including education, economic status, employment and work conditions, housing and environment, and access to health care.
Social factors are increasingly recognized as relevant to understand frailty. However, research into the prevalence of frailty and its correlates, particularly social influences, remains limited. Identification of these social factors and assessment of their role in the pathophysiology of frailty might be of great importance for the development of multidimensional models and for the comprehensive management of frail individuals.
Although much work remains to be done to characterize social vulnerability among older persons, it is important to recognize that this social factor plays a role in modulating the adverse health-related outcomes of frailty.