Loneliness is an unrecognized health risk

Loneliness is one of the biggest health risks— it increases our chances of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a new study has found. It’s an overlooked cause of chronic illness, and social contact is just as important as a healthy diet and exercise.

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Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University in China looked at the impact of social isolation on around 42,000 participants in the UK Biobank survey. They analyzed blood samples and social activity of participants aged 40-69 years.