The Deadliness of Loneliness

If you feel alone, you’re not alone. Loneliness is a global and growing problem, and a new study shows just how deadly it can be.

Loneliness is creating a growing global health crisis — an epidemic, some health experts say — fueled by aging populations, fragmented families and migration to soulless cities, among other things. A new study adds to a growing body of research showing that loneliness can be as deadly as obesity or smoking. The research also points to the roots of the complex problem and hints at possible solutions.

Some perspective, from around the world:

The percentage of Americans living by themselves has risen from less than 15 percent in 1960 to more than 25 percent today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and there are more than 35 million Americans living alone now. The figure is likely to increase as the population ages, experts say.

But the problem of loneliness goes beyond living alone. In a survey just last year by the polling firm Ipsos, conducted for the health company Cigna, 46 percent of Americans said they sometimes or always feel lonely. One in five said they rarely or never feel close to others. Other results of the survey:

• The loneliest group was ages 18–22, while the least lonely were those 72 and older.
• Those who were employed and…