Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106199

Sato Ashida, MM, School of Public Health, Ohio State University, B-107 Starling-Loving Hall, 320 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1240, 614-293-8255, ashida.2@osu.edu

Epidemiological studies have shown that socially integrated older adults live longer and healthier lives. Attempts have been made through social institutions like senior centers to enhance social integration among older adults, but little is known about the impact of these efforts. Determining the social network characteristics of people who participate or do not participate in social programs is needed to understand whether programs are reaching people in the segments of the population that are most vulnerable to social isolation and thus at risk for declining health.

This presentation will discuss the results of 126 face-to-face interviews conducted with older adults between the ages of 65 and 85 living in an urban community in Columbus OH. In an attempt to garner a representative sample, addresses were randomly selected from all possible addresses in the area. Recruitment letters were sent by mail, with follow-up phone calls made when phone numbers were available.

The survey consisted of questions adapted from well-validated measures of social network characteristics (size, frequency, density, proximity, homogeneity, and reciprocity), perceived availability and adequacy of social support, participation in productive activities, health status, and demographics. The influence of these factors on older adults' intentions to participate in activities at a soon-to-open senior center will be presented. These results will help guide the development of programs and policies that address the problems and build on the strengths of the naturally occurring social networks of the older adults in this community.

Learning Objectives: