Renee Boldut details the alarming related risks of aging, social isolation and loneliness, health misinformation, and poor health.

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Following the death of her husband Barbra’s world grew smaller, and her health grew increasingly frail. She suffered some falls, began to rely on a diet of tea and toast, and did not leave her house very often. Barbra’s isolation impacted not only her mental health, but also her physical health. Barbra is not alone, social isolation and loneliness are growing concerns among older adults in Canada. Social isolation is the lack of relationships or support from others, meanwhile loneliness is a subjective feeling of disconnection. About 12% of Canadians aged 65 and older report being socially isolated, and 24% report experiencing low social participation. Up to 30% of seniors in Canada are at risk of social isolation, and 25% face barriers to social participation.

These risks point to a potential increase in social isolation and loneliness. Related health concerns could also be on the increase. Social isolation and loneliness carry significant health consequences, including increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, dementia, and even early death. The health risks of isolation are comparable to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Photo Credit: Pexels/SHVETS production. Image Description: An older adult’s hands operating a smartphone.

In today’s media environment, social isolation and loneliness can be both contributors to the spread of health misinformation, as well as contributing to the health risks associated with misinformation.

The Canadian Council of Academies (CCA) Fault Lines Report (2023) found that older adults may be more susceptible to misinformation because they prioritize interpersonal goals over accuracy in communication. The report also emphasizes that those looking for community in online spaces have increased susceptibility to believe and share misinformation. With social isolation and loneliness increasing in older Canadians, they may be at increased risk of believing and sharing misinformation due not only to their age, but also due to searching for community through online platforms. There is strong evidence for isolated individuals seeking out information, connections, and community through online platforms due to their accessibility. As the statistics show, social isolation and loneliness are themselves eminent social and health issues, and they have the potential to worsen due to the harms of health misinformation.

Misinformation itself can impact individual health and wellness because misinformation can encourage poor decision-making regarding treatment. In a 2016 survey, 79% of participants said that they use at least one complementary or alternative medicine or therapy at some point in their life. With misinformation about health benefits of some alternative therapies, people may be directed away from evidence-based interventions for their health issues. This is especially dangerous considering that older adults are more likely to come across and share misinformation. While some studies have found that older adults were less capable of correctly identifying fake headlines, their media literacy does not seem to be the deciding factor in their belief and spread of misinformation. The tendency to prioritize interpersonal goals (including maintaining relationships and community) over accuracy may lead older adults to share more misinformation even though they might not necessary believe what they are sharing.

A further problem is that misinformation spreads through online spaces where people find and participate in community, and that this is especially true in the “absence of community in the offline world”. Online communities can help provide a sense of belonging, which can be appealing when one is socially isolated. However partaking in online communities can increase susceptibility to misinformation because of social reinforcement and lack of exposure to other points of view.

Furthermore, self-segregation via online platforms can lead to the gradual radicalization of beliefs. When people feel isolated, seeking out information, connections, and community is natural, and online platforms mean this community can be accessible. However, there is evidence that loneliness is linked to developing conspiracist worldviews, further contributing to isolation. A 30-year longitudinal study in Norway of more than 2,200 participants found that loneliness can drive people to conspiracy theories. Loneliness motivates people to search for connection and belonging, which can be provided by online conspiracy communities. Also lonely individuals have fewer people to question their beliefs and information sources, leaving space for misinformed views to grow.

Older Canadians ultimately seem to perpetuate misinformation because they value inter-personal goals over accuracy. Social isolation and loneliness can contribute to seeking connections online. We can imagine someone like Barbara turning to the internet for companionship. Finding community online may in turn contribute to online behaviour that could perpetuate misinformation. Health risks associated with social isolation and loneliness have the potential to be exacerbated by health misinformation.

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Renee Boldut is a Master of Health Ethics student in the Memorial University Faculty of Medicine. This commentary was originally written in the context of a graduate seminar on the ethics of health misinformation and lies.