Loneliness affects physical functioning and health including general health (e.g. headaches, backaches, colds) and sleep quality across age groups18,19,20. In the wider population, loneliness is linked to negative health behaviours such as drinking, smoking, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating. It is associated with elevated blood pressure and acute stress responses, increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, and increased risk of early mortality. Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and [[Anxiety]]. ## Comparison to other dangers ![[Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 12.06.26.png]] - comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day - more impactful than drinking 6 alcoholic drinks daily - more impactful than physical inactivity, or obesity or air pollution. *Taken from [[Source - Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation- US Surgeon General advisory]]* - A study [^1] found that: - Living with air pollution increases your odds of dying early by 5 percent. - Living with obesity, 20 percent. - Excessive drinking, 30 percent. - Living with loneliness - It increases our odds of dying early by **45 percent**. ([Location 2822](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09DTJM18Q&location=2822)) ### Footnotes [^1]: Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, and J. Bradley Layton, “Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-Analytic Review,” PLoS Medicine 7, no. 7 (2010):1–20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316. (Holt-Lunstad, Smith & Layton, 2010)