Living alone riskier for young and middle-aged adults than seniors, study indicates
Loneliness has been considered a major health risk for seniors, but a new study suggests younger adults might fare even worse from living by themselves. Living alone appears to increase a person's risk of death from a multitude of causes, particularly among adults 18 to 64, researchers reported in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that living alone may be a greater health risk for middle-aged and younger adults compared to seniors. Researchers found that being solitary increases overall death risk by 22% for individuals aged 18 to 64, while the increase for seniors aged 65 and older is just 6%.
The higher risk of mortality for younger and middle-aged adults living alone was primarily associated with suicide, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and injuries. In contrast, seniors living alone faced a greater risk from suicide, high blood pressure, injuries, and heart disease. The study's lead researcher, Hyunjung Lee, noted that living alone is not inherently harmful, but it is often linked to unhealthy habits like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, poor diet, and fewer doctor visits.
She emphasized that policy and clinical interventions are required to address the modifiable risk factors linked to higher death rates among those living alone, such as managing chronic diseases, preventing injuries, and improving access to preventive care and mental health support.
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