Improving the validity of studies on the relationship between social health and Immunity of older Adults: Letter to the editor

The recent study by Isabelle F. van der Velpen et al., (2024), published in Brain Behavior and Immunity, explores the intricate relationship between social health, marital status, and their effects on immune markers and neurodegeneration in the elderly. It highlights significant gender and marital status differences impacting immune system health and plasma biomarkers. Despite its depth, the study’s reliance on self-reported measures for loneliness and social support may not fully capture the complexity of social health, which includes dynamic components like social integration. The use of broad immune indices, such as the Granulocyte to Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune Inflammation index, limits the detailed understanding of specific immune pathways. The study’s cross-sectional design restricts causal inferences, underscoring the need for longitudinal research to establish temporal sequences and causality in the relationship between social health, immune function, and neurodegeneration. Additionally, while the study identifies gender differences, it does not delve into the mechanisms driving these differences, nor does it account for psychosocial factors such as mental health, physical activity, and diet. These findings emphasize the importance of gender-specific health interventions and policies to address social determinants like marital status, which significantly impact long-term health outcomes in older adults.