Feeling lonely multiple times throughout one’s life may significantly increase the risk of severe illness and mortality in mid to later life, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan.
This study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the long-term health implications of cumulative loneliness and underscores the need for interventions to address this critical issue.
Loneliness is a well-established risk factor for adverse health outcomes, but its impact on mortality over an extended period has not been extensively studied.
This research aims to fill this gap by examining whether experiencing loneliness at multiple points in life is associated with a higher risk of death in mid to later life.
The Study: The study analyzed data from over 9,000 participants aged 50 and older in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, a comprehensive data source on aging in the United States.
The participants were followed over an eight-year period from 1996 to 2004, during which their experiences of loneliness were recorded.
The researchers categorized loneliness into four groups: never experienced loneliness and experienced loneliness at one, two, or three points.
Participants’ health, lifestyle, and social isolation were considered, and mortality risk was assessed through 2019.
The study revealed a significant association between cumulative loneliness and mortality risk.
Participants who reported experiencing loneliness multiple times had a notably higher risk of death compared to those who reported no or fewer episodes of loneliness. The results were as follows:
- 106 excess deaths when loneliness was reported once.
- 202 excess deaths when loneliness was reported twice.
- 288 excess deaths when loneliness was reported three or more times over the eight-year period.
These findings underscore the importance of addressing loneliness as a preventable risk factor for mortality.
With life expectancy in the United States declining and loneliness recognized as a global health crisis, the study emphasizes the urgency of preventive measures. It suggests that reducing loneliness at the societal level is crucial for improving life expectancy.
The study advocates for interventions targeting loneliness to enhance well-being and life expectancy.
It suggests that loneliness should be considered a key focus for public health efforts and encourages a shift in societal values regarding older individuals.
Potential interventions include age-friendly communities, urban planning incorporating older people, and policies supporting meaningful social roles for older adults.
Cumulative loneliness in mid to later life has been identified as a significant risk factor for higher mortality rates.
The study emphasizes the need for proactive measures to combat loneliness and highlights the importance of fostering meaningful connections and roles for older individuals in society.
Addressing the issue of loneliness can potentially improve overall health outcomes and life expectancy for both older and younger populations.
If you care about depression, please read studies that vegetarian diet may increase your depression risk, and Vitamin D could help reduce depression symptoms.
For more health information, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and these antioxidants could help reduce the risk of dementia.
The research findings can be found in PNAS.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
