THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND SELF-RATED HEALTH - - Abstract

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

As the older adult population in the United States grows, social determinants of health, neighborhood environment, and social networks are key drivers of later-life outcomes. This study examines effects of income, rurality, food insecurity, transportation, meal assistance, neighborhood disorder, and built-environment issues on self-rated health among older adults with multiple chronic conditions (N=5,356). Survey-weighted logistic regression also tests moderation by community support and social network size. Food insecurity, transportation difficulties, limited meal assistance, and high physical disorder correspond with worse self-rated health, while greater community support improves it. Community support buffers harms from food insecurity and physical disorder; larger social networks mitigate harms from physical disorder. Findings support strengthening community support systems and social networks to reduce disparities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study purpose and data

Methods and variables

Moderating effects

Key findings and implications

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 589 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2020 THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND SELF-RATED HEALTH Samuel Van Vleet1, Jeein Law (Jang2, and John Bowblis1, 1. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, United States, 2. University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States As the older adult population in the United States grows, understanding how social determinants of health, neighborhood environment, and social networks influence health outcomes in later life is crucial. Marginalized populations often face cumulative disadvantages, making community support essential for improving health. This study explores the impact of social determinants of health, neighborhood environment, and social networks on self-reported health among older adults with multiple chronic conditions, using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 5,356). Survey-weighted logistic regression models assessed relationships between income, rurality, food insecurity, transportation, meal assistance, neighborhood disorder, and built environment issues, with self-rated health as the outcome. The moderating effects of community support and social network size were also examined. Results indicate that food insecurity, transportation difficulties, limited meal assistance, and high physical disorder were associated with lower self-rated health, while higher community support was associated with better self-rated health. Notably, community support buffered the negative impact of food insecurity and high physical disorder on self-rated health. Additionally, social network size positively moderated the negative impact of high physical disorder on self-rated health. These findings emphasize the significant role of social determinants of health and social support in shaping health outcomes in later life. Policies should prioritize strengthening community support systems and social networks, particularly for food-insecure and physically disadvantaged older adults, to improve self-rated health and mitigate health disparities. The study contributes to understanding how social and environmental factors intersect to affect health disparities among aging populations.

FAQs

Which factors are linked to lower self-rated health in the study?

Food insecurity, transportation difficulties, limited meal assistance, and high physical disorder are associated with lower self-rated health among older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

How does community support affect self-rated health?

Higher community support is associated with better self-rated health, and it buffers the negative impact of food insecurity and high physical disorder.

What role does social network size play in the results?

Social network size positively moderates the negative effect of high physical disorder on self-rated health, helping reduce the harm.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver