:

What is the social frailty index?: Understanding this new health metric

In a 2023 study published in *PNAS*, researchers found that a 10-item **Social Frailty Index** (SFI) accurately predicted a higher risk of death and other negative health outcomes among older adults, validating its use as a significant health metric. The SFI quantifies an individual's vulnerability based on social factors, providing a new dimension for assessing the health of aging populations.