Isolation, Financial Strain Cut Preventive Health Access

Study finds social and physical isolation linked to lower odds of receiving key preventive services

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:10am

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Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and found that 31.9% of adults reported social isolation and 8.2% reported physical isolation, with the two often overlapping. Both types of isolation were more common among lower-income adults and were associated with material deprivation, including food insecurity and trouble paying bills. The study also found that isolation was linked to lower odds of receiving preventive health services like vaccinations and cancer screenings, though these associations were partly explained by financial hardship.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the importance of addressing both social/physical isolation and material needs when counseling patients about preventive care. Isolation and financial strain can create barriers to accessing critical health services, putting vulnerable populations at higher risk.

The details

The study examined six preventive services: COVID-19, flu and pneumococcal vaccination, and breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. Researchers found that 63.9% of physically isolated individuals were also socially isolated, compared to 29.0% of those not physically isolated. Both forms of isolation were more common among lower-income adults and linked to material hardship, with 82.1% of physically isolated adults experiencing issues like food insecurity and trouble paying bills, versus 30.9% of those not physically isolated.

  • The data analyzed was from the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national telephone survey.

The players

American Academy of Family Physicians

A national medical association representing family physicians, residents, and medical students.

Jacob Riegler

A researcher at Cambridge Health Alliance, Department of Internal Medicine, and Harvard Medical School.

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What they’re saying

“These findings suggest that financial hardship explains part of the relationship between isolation and preventive care use and highlight the importance of attending social and physical isolation alongside material needs when counseling patients about prevention.”

— Jacob Riegler, Researcher

The takeaway

This study underscores how social isolation and financial strain can create significant barriers to accessing critical preventive health services, putting vulnerable populations at higher risk. Addressing both social and material needs will be crucial for improving preventive care utilization.