It is suspected that systemic inflammation is the mechanism for how both sleep disturbance and social isolation increase an individual’s risk for morbidity and mortality. That said, little research has been done regarding the complex relationships between these three factors. Therefore, CHAS Fellow Diane Lauderdale and fellow researchers designed a longitudinal study which was conducted in four cities across the United States. Their findings revealed that the association between sleep disturbance and systemic inflammation was stronger among those who also reported feelings of social isolation.