Social capital: an independent dimension of healthy ageing

Abstract

Resources that are embedded in social relationships, such as shared knowledge, access to food, services, social support or cooperation, are all examples of social capital. Social capital is recognized as an important age-related mediator of health in humans and fitness-related traits in animals. A rich social capital in humans can slow down senescence and reverse age-related deficits. Some animals are able to adjust their social capital at different life stages (i.e., early, reproductive and post-reproductive life), which may promote individual fitness. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unknown. We suggest future research avenues to focus on social capital as a modifiable dimension to gain a better understanding of variations in senescence, and thereby provide new approaches to promote healthy ageing.