The Link Between Loneliness and Mortality

Have you ever felt alone even though you were surrounded by dozens of people? That can happen to anyone at times but when it happens on a regular basis, can it impact your health? Could it even be worse than being obese? Recent research suggests that it just might be.

Before we get to the studies, let’s define some terms.

• Social isolation is a physical lack of contact with other human beings.
• Loneliness is a subjective feeling of being lonely no matter how many people are around.
• Living alone is just what it says: you live alone. Up to 25% of the adult population lives alone in the U.S.

Researchers did two meta-analyses on the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and living alone. In the first study, people with more social connections had up to a 50% reduction in early mortality. That in and of itself is interesting, but it’s what they reported in the second study that was more profound. I’ll cover that on Thursday.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet

 

Reference: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170805165319.htm