A Hidden Toll: How Loneliness Is Affecting Our Health

Every human being will experience moments of loneliness at some point in their lives. But is this just a passing feeling or can it affect us in other ways? Medical researchers have only now started to uncover the full impact of loneliness on public health.

The public conversation around loneliness shifted dramatically when U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in 2023 highlighting an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation”. The report revealed that roughly half of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely, with some of the highest rates occurring among young adults. It also stated that a lack of social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Loneliness is not just “in your head” – it can actually change how your body functions. Feelings of loneliness can cause wear and tear on the body, causing chronic inflammation and the weakening of immune cells. New research has also found that loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased levels of proteins linked to serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the public health impacts of loneliness, there is a lot we can do. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend several ways of improving social connectedness: making time in your routine to contact people who care about you, joining a group with shared interests, and finding ways to be grateful to the people around you.

Investing in meaningful relationships is more than just a feel-good suggestion. We are now beginning to understand that social connection is an important contributor to overall health for both individuals and populations.