Social isolation and loneliness linked to poor health – our study could help explain why

By Timothy Matthews, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Greenwich
Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen, Senior researcher of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University

Numerous studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness are associated with an increased risk of early death, on a scale comparable to other known risk factors such as smoking and obesity. This year, the US surgeon general declared social isolation and loneliness to be a significant public health concern.

But scientists are still trying to untangle the physical processes behind the relationship.…

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