Study links loneliness and isolation to fewer disease-free years

A recent study has revealed that loneliness and social isolation are also associated with a reduction in the number of years a person lives without chronic diseases.

According to the study’s findings, the link was most pronounced for years free from mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, compared to physical illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer, according to Sputnik.

The results also showed that while maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help mitigate some of the effects of social isolation, it was not enough to offset the impact associated with feelings of loneliness. The study found significant differences between men and women. For women, loneliness and social isolation were linked to a loss of about 2.4 years of life free from physical diseases and 3.7 years free from mental health disorders.

Among men, these factors were associated with a loss of around 1.7 years of life free from physical diseases and 5.8 years free from mental health disorders. The study attributed these differences to varying patterns of social and emotional support between the sexes, noting that men may rely more on direct social interaction, while women tend to depend more on emotional support.