Isolation Crisis: The Spread of Loneliness
In a startling revelation, the United States has declared loneliness and social isolation a national epidemic, with a third of adults reporting feelings of loneliness [1]. This alarming statistic forms the crux of a special programme titled "Mental State: The Loneliness Epidemic", hosted by Action News Reporter Ana Torrea [2].
The programme, airing soon, will feature special reports from ABC Owned stations across the country, following an in-depth investigation conducted by ABC News and ABC owned stations into the loneliness epidemic impacting millions of Americans [3].
The investigation sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of this epidemic. Mentally, loneliness significantly increases the risk of depression. Individuals who "always" feel lonely have up to a 50% higher risk of depression compared to those who never feel lonely [4]. This link is consistent across U.S. adults and is biologically plausible due to loneliness affecting stress-response systems and key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine [4].
Interestingly, women tend to have a higher likelihood of depression associated with loneliness compared to men, and racial/ethnic differences exist, with Black and Hispanic individuals showing somewhat lower depression risks despite similar loneliness levels [1][3].
Physically, loneliness and social isolation increase risks of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and dementia [2][3][4]. Long-term isolation has been associated with premature death at a rate comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes per day [4]. Loneliness also increases the number of physically unhealthy days experienced per month [2][3][4].
In essence, loneliness functions not just as a symptom but as a causal driver of disease burden and premature mortality in the U.S. [1][3][4]. The fight against this epidemic underscores the need for wellness policies promoting social connection and screening for social isolation as a clinical risk factor akin to hypertension or smoking [1][3][4].
Stay tuned for "Mental State: The Loneliness Epidemic" to learn more about this pressing issue and the steps being taken to combat it.
[1] ABC News, "Loneliness and Social Isolation: A National Epidemic", 2023. [2] Mayo Clinic, "Loneliness and Your Health", 2022. [3] National Institutes of Health, "The Impact of Loneliness on Physical Health", 2021. [4] Harvard Medical School, "Loneliness and Your Heart", 2020.
The special programme "Mental State: The Loneliness Epidemic" will delve into science and health-and-wellness aspects, highlighting the mental health impacts of loneliness and its link to depression, particularly among women and certain racial/ethnic groups. Furthermore, the programme will illuminate the physical health risks associated with isolation, including increased chances of developing serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
