Study: Loneliness and Social Isolation Cost Us 6 Years of Healthy Life

Social isolation and loneliness can have a considerable impact on disease-free life expectancy.

Researchers who analyzed data from more than 270,000 people, aged 40 to 69, found that these two factors can cut up to 6 years off healthy life.

Researchers found that people who feel lonely or are detached from society have fewer years of life without significant health problems.

The impact is particularly strong on mental health, with significant links to depression and anxiety. But social isolation and loneliness are also linked to physical illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory problems and several neurodegenerative diseases.

The study also shows that men and women do not experience loneliness and social isolation in the same way, and this is reflected in the impact they have on their health. Since women may place greater importance on emotional connection, their mental health problems are more strongly linked to loneliness, while men’s mental health shows a stronger link to social isolation.

In women, loneliness and social isolation meant 2.4 years spent in poorer physical health and 3.7 years in poorer mental health. While in men, they meant 1.7 years of life lost without physical illness and 5.8 years of life lost without mental disorders.

Men tend to rely more on physical presence and frequent social interactions, while women more on emotional support.