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Social isolation should be a public health priority

Loneliness poses health risks and is a drain on the public purse. Communities are finding ways to connect people, but government must act too

The headlines are familiar to many of us: “Loneliness is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day”; it’s as bad for you as long-term illness.

US research shows that older people who are socially isolated have poorer health trajectories and the risk of death is 31% higher than for those who are not isolated, according to the American Association of Retired Persons and Stanford University.

Related: 'Childline for older people' gives friendly ear to 10,000 lonely callers each week

Related: Why our care homes open their doors at Christmas to lonely older people

Continue reading... February 23, 2018 at 08:33PM

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