Trust, self-rated health and mortality: A longitudinal study among ageing people in Southern Finland

► Little is known about the associations between trust, SRH and mortality among ageing people. ► In a sample drawn from Southern Finland, the risk of mortality was higher among men with low trust. The risk was higher even if their SRH had been good initially. ► SRH indicated a negligible mediating role in links between trust and mortality. ► Low trust is a sensitive indicator of higher mortality risk among ageing men.