Loneliness as a Key Predictor of Mental and Physical Health Deterioration, New Study Finds

Recent research underscores the significant impact loneliness has on both mental and physical health outcomes. A comprehensive study published in PLOS One analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, collected through phone surveys conducted between 2016 and 2023, involving over 47,000 adults in the United States. The findings reveal that loneliness is highly prevalent, with more than 80% of participants experiencing some degree of social isolation.

The study highlights that individuals who report feeling 'Always' lonely exhibit a markedly higher likelihood of depression, with a predicted probability of 50.2%, compared to just 9.7% among those who never feel lonely. Additionally, those feeling persistently lonely experience on average 10.9 more days of poor mental health and 5 more days of poor physical health per month. Interestingly, women tend to report higher rates of depression and poor mental health across all levels of loneliness, while Black participants reported lower probabilities of depression and fewer mental health issues compared to white counterparts.

Limitations of the study include its reliance on self-reported data and potential biases from unmeasured factors like personality traits or life events. Nonetheless, the researchers emphasize the urgent need to address loneliness as a public health priority. They advocate for routine screening in clinical settings and the implementation of social initiatives to mitigate loneliness.

The authors conclude that loneliness is not merely an emotional experience but a measurable factor that significantly influences overall health, underscoring the importance of integrating loneliness prevention into health policy and intervention strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-loneliness-poor-mental-physical-health.html