This cohort study followed 2 265 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over in Santiago, Chile. Median follow-up was 15 years, with all-cause mortality ascertained from 2000 to 2019. Cluster analysis grouped participants on household size, marital status, group participation, recreational social activities and perceived support. Cox models were adjusted for sex, age, education, income, multimorbidity and depression. Among those without multimorbidity at baseline, clusters lacking a partner and participation, or lacking support and participation, had raised mortality. No effect sizes are reported, and social connection was measured only at baseline.
Why it is interesting: Social connection is measured across five dimensions rather than one. The raised mortality was observed in those without multimorbidity at baseline, who were said to benefit most from integration.
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