Table 1.

Top 5 Suggestions for Future Research

Design, implement, and evaluate theory‐driven interventions to mitigate adverse effects of social isolation and loneliness on cardiovascular and brain health. Multicomponent intervention studies would need to include a factorial or other design to allow successful components (eg, active ingredient) to be identified. Design and conduct methodologically rigorous research to examine associations between social isolation, loneliness, and incident CHD, stroke, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Conduct methodologically rigorous research to understand how social isolation and loneliness impact cardiovascular and brain health in populations that are more vulnerable to or at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness, such as children and young adults, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, sexual minorities, individuals living in rural areas, 96 individuals with limited access to technology and internet service, 99 individuals with physical disabilities, incarcerated individuals, recent immigrants, and individuals with hearing and visual impairments. 85 , 95 More research to evaluate the cardiovascular and brain health effects of social isolation and loneliness in times of crisis such as during COVID‐19, 10 war and civil unrest, natural disasters, and environmental changes. 100 More longitudinal research using appropriate methods (eg, path analysis or causal mediation methods) to examine mechanisms by which social isolation and loneliness influence cardiovascular and brain health outcomes.

CHD indicates coronary heart disease; and COVID‐19, coronavirus disease 2019.