Loneliness Is Worse Than Obesity, Smoking, and Alcoholism; New Study Suggests That Primary Care Clinicians Could Play Crucial Roles

Loneliness has a mortality risk that can be compared to smoking over 15 cigarettes in a single day.

Loneliness: a Dangerous Biopsychosocial Stressor

Loneliness refers to the feeling of being alone. This can be regardless of social contact levels. On the other hand, social isolation refers to lacking social connections. Social isolation could lead to loneliness in some cases. However, there are also cases where people could feel lonely even when they are not socially isolated.

The biopsychosocial stressor can also be more harmful than obesity, lack of physical activity, and alcoholism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes that social isolation could boost a person's premature death risk from all causes. This could rival those of physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking.

The CDC also notes that, among older adults, social isolation and loneliness are great public health risks that affect several people across the US. These factors put them at risk for developing dementia and other conditions.

Combating Loneliness

Though loneliness yields harmful effects, interventions targeted for addressing the discrepancy between actual and desired social interaction are limited and few.

As part of a new study, researchers were able to note evidence that suggests that clinicians could play crucial roles when it comes to the development and maintenance of personal connections for patients who feel lonely. Findings were noted in the "Loneliness in older primary care patients and its relationship to physical and mental health-related quality of life" study.

The study was able to find that 53% of older adults belonging to the primary care population feel lonely. Evidence also shows that when older adults feel lonely, their mental and physical health related to the quality of their life are significantly reduced.

The data for this study was gathered while the COVID-19 pandemic was ongoing. However, the researchers were able to note a steady rise in loneliness in this population even before the pandemic started. Today, the numbers are still increasing.

Dr. Monica Williams-Farrelly, PhD, a Regenstrief research scientist and assistant research professor from the Indiana University School of Medicine and the study's first author, explains that the first and clear answer regarding loneliness is that primary care physicians could screen patients.

The doctor notes that, given how loneliness leads to health effects that are quite strong and significant, older adults should also be asked regarding their loneliness. This is similar to how they are asked if they smoke or measure their blood sugar. Dr. Williams-Farrelly explains that doctors should inquire about and gauge loneliness and also provide solutions.

Dr. Williams-Farelly also says that nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, and other clinicians should also offer resources that can aid patients in addressing this matter.

Dr. Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA, the study's senior author and principal researcher, explains that the matter of loneliness has become more relevant now than ever, considering the US Surgeon General's call to action in May 2023 regarding the loneliness epidemic.

Dr. Fowler notes that the study is crucial as it notes and suggests evidence for interventions that older adults in primary care need. The doctor explains that primary care clinicians must tackle loneliness with older adult patients and offer resources that could aid them in fostering meaningful social connections.

The researchers also suggest the Circle of Friends concept as an effective intervention. This covers a group-based psychosocial rehabilitation model for three months. It aims to enhance the friendships and interactions between participants. The model has been seen to be effective in boosting health outcomes and reducing loneliness.

Dr. Williams-Farrelly explains that though loneliness may appear simple, it can actually be complex to pinpoint and address. Loneliness started becoming an issue even before the pandemic started. As the stay-at-home order was issued during the pandemic, social contact ended up deliberately prevented, exacerbating the problem further.

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