Minimal contact with others and limited involvement in community life are associated with increased morbidity and early mortality. Research suggests that the magnitude of risk associated with social isolation is similar to the risk of cigarette smoking. Furthermore, social support networks have been identified as powerful predictors of health behaviors, suggesting that individuals without a strong social network are less likely to make healthy lifestyle choices than individuals with a strong network. A study found that people living in areas with high levels of social trust are less likely to rate their health status as fair or poor than people living in areas with low levels of social trust. Researchers have argued that social trust is enhanced when people belong to voluntary groups and organizations because people who belong to such groups tend to trust others who belong to the same group.

For more information please visit, Social Associations for Cabarrus County on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings.

Social Associations measures the number of membership associations per 10,000 population. Rates measure the number of events in a given time period (generally one or more years) divided by the average number of people at risk during that period. Rates help us compare health data across counties with different population sizes.

To learn more about the Measure Methods, please visit the Social Associations Measure Methods Section, on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings Website.