Healthcare Providers Overlook the Health Dangers of Loneliness, New Study Shows

Despite scientific evidence that social connection is an important factor in mental and physical health, a new study shows that the general public and healthcare providers (HCPs) don’t acknowledge the impact social connection has on physical health. The 2010 Holt-Lunstad meta-analysis showed a 50% increased odds of survival for individuals with greater social integration. This number is comparable to the effects of quitting smoking and maintaining physical activity.

The latest study, published in February, found that despite nearly half of the survey respondents reporting moderate loneliness, they ranked social isolation, loneliness, and low social support at the bottom for their effect on health. Loneliness and social isolation increase mortality risk, cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and susceptibility to viral infections.

Andrew Proctor co-authored the latest study along with Julianne Holt-Lunstad. “I have a marketing background, so I thought that maybe the public perception had changed since COVID,” Proctor said. “Social distancing, isolation, and loneliness were huge buzzwords on the internet as seen through Google Trends and BuzzSumo. Everything around these search terms was super viral during that time, and so we wondered if perceptions about social connection had changed.”

A closely related study published by the researchers in February found that healthcare providers don’t properly rank the health risks associated with social disconnection. The authors wrote, “Social disconnection is described as a public health crisis, and urgency to act is needed, yet HCPs are not equipped to address this issue as they first must identify it as a health risk factor. It is critical that we bridge the gap between the evidence demonstrating the robust health impacts and implementation. Additional educational and awareness efforts are needed but will not be enough without adequate resources and support. Such efforts are needed to create a healthcare system that more holistically focuses not only on treating diseases but also prioritizes the overall health of individuals.”

Former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued guidance in 2023 to help tackle the loneliness epidemic that is causing health problems for all age groups in America. Dr. Murthy wrote, “The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.”

Murthy identified several causes of loneliness and social isolation, including the decline of social infrastructure, changes in household structure, and the increased use of social media and heavy internet usage. Dr. Murthy pointed out the decrease in community involvement and opportunities for social connection at libraries, community centers, churches, schools, and workplaces. This has been exacerbated by cities that are designed for motor vehicle transportation over walkable, pedestrian-friendly designs.

Dr. Murthy pointed out a substantial decrease in the number of Americans who are married. In 1960, 72% of Americans were married, and that rate has now dropped below 50%. Murthy connects this trend with smaller family sizes, and the increase in “geographic mobility” means social support structures are weaker than they have ever been.

The percentage of people living alone has more than doubled during the same period, from 13% in 1960 to 28% in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 36% of all adults experienced “serious loneliness.” 51% of Americans aged 18-34 had no steady romantic partner in 2018 compared to 33% for the same age group in 2004.

Dr. Murthy’s 2023 report states, “Research shows that adolescents in the U.S. have become less likely to spend time in person with their friends, with a 70% decline in face-to-face social interaction from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s, a period that coincides with the rapid rise of smartphone and social media use. Heavy social media use is associated with higher levels of loneliness, particularly among young people, as it can lead to superficial interactions, exposure to harmful content, or comparisons that undermine self-esteem.”

The HighWire reported about a lawsuit filed by the Miami-Dade School District against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Another lawsuit involving 42 state attorneys general against Meta was also filed in 2023, and the case is still ongoing. These lawsuits allege that social media companies algorithmically target children, so they spend more time on the platform, which causes depression and an increase in mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral disorders.

Dr. Murthy suggested various strategies for tackling the social media issue, including family strategies to limit screen time and regulations on algorithms that promote excessive use or harmful content.

Ten states have passed laws requiring age verification for minors on social media; however, these laws are currently being stalled by legal challenges in Arkansas and California. New York is the only state to pass a bill called the SAFE Act, which prohibits social media platforms from using algorithms that target minors. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law in June 2024, and it officially took effect in March.

There is little data available on the impact of the law as it has only been in effect for two months. Children on social media platforms will be given a reverse chronological feed that is not manipulated by algorithms, which are intended to increase the time users spend on the platform.

Regulatory solutions for social media addiction frequently receive legal challenges from groups like Net Choice on First Amendment grounds. Net Choice is funded by Google, Meta, and other tech companies.