Health Expert Says Loneliness Could Be As Deadly As Smoking 15 Cigarettes Daily

The structure of contemporary society, with its emphasis on car-centric city planning, preference for single-family homes, and self-reliant culture, appears to be designed in a way that fosters loneliness.

The impact of COVID-19 further exacerbated this issue, as millions faced real trauma from the social isolation enforced during lockdowns. Despite these evident challenges, there remains a prevailing tendency in our culture to perceive "loneliness" as an individual problem rather than recognising it as a broader public health concern.

However, now an expert is pointing out that the damaging effects of loneliness could be as bad as smoking on a daily basis.

Who Is The Expert?

United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy came forward to share his expertise on the matter, drawing from a recent study by the National Institute on Ageing.

What Is The Study About?

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Murthy has highlighted that loneliness poses a significant health risk to humans, equating it to the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes.

Research supports this comparison, underscoring the severe impact that loneliness can have on both mental and physical well-being. Recognising loneliness as a substantial health concern emphasises the need for collective efforts to address it at a societal level.

Murthy referred to recent research and told AP, ¡°We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing.¡±

Why Is Loneliness The Same As Smoking?

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The findings from a recent study conducted by the National Institute on Ageing emphasise the serious health risks associated with prolonged isolation. The study suggests that the negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

These factors are believed to contribute to a significant reduction in a person's life span, up to 15 years, and increase the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behaviours such as inadequate exercise, poor diet, disrupted sleep, and a higher risk of requiring emergency room visits or nursing home care.

Addressing social isolation is crucial not only for individual well-being but also for public health on a broader scale.