The Silent Epidemic: Why Social Isolation Is Deadlier Than Obesity

You've probably heard plenty about the dangers of the obesity epidemic. But have you ever heard about the dangers of the social isolation epidemic?

A U.S. study has found that social isolation poses an even greater risk to public health than obesity and that it’s rapidly increasing.

"Being socially connected to others is a fundamental human need, crucial for both quality of life and survival," says Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology professor at Brigham Young University and one of the lead researchers behind the study. "Extreme examples show that infants in orphanages without human contact often fail to thrive, and sometimes even die. There’s a reason solitary confinement is used as a form of punishment."

The study, conducted across the United States, found that about 42.6 million adults over the age of 45 suffer from chronic loneliness. In addition, more than a quarter of Americans live alone, over half are unmarried, and the average number of children per family has declined.

“These trends show that Americans are becoming less and less socially connected and are experiencing more loneliness,” the researchers note.

The study also referenced previous large-scale research that found serious health risks associated with loneliness. One study involving 300,000 participants found that strong social ties were linked to a 50% reduction in early mortality risk. Another study, examining 4.3 million people worldwide, showed that loneliness, social isolation, and even living alone have a significantly negative impact on life expectancy, equivalent to or greater than known risk factors such as obesity.

“With an aging population, the public health impact of loneliness is expected to grow,” warns Dr. Holt-Lunstad. “Many nations now recognize that we are facing a ‘loneliness epidemic.’ The challenge is what to do about it.”

What Can Be Done?

Among the researchers' key recommendations:

• Teach social skills from an early age to foster healthy connections.

• Train doctors to assess the social environments of their patients, not only their physical symptoms.

• Prepare older adults for retirement both socially and financially, since many of today’s social ties are work-related.

As this hidden crisis continues to rise, proactive efforts could be vital- not only for individual well-being, but for global public health.