Consumer Articles and Media Mentions

Here’s a reading list of articles that provide background and reporting on one of today’s growing public health crises: Loneliness and Isolation.

Harvard Crimson op-ed “Harvard Time Runs on Loneliness”
Forbes article “Loneliness Linked To Negative Social Media Experiences, Study Finds”
CNN report “Loneliness peaks at three key ages, study finds — but wisdom may help”
The Atlantic article “To Prevent Loneliness, Start in the Classroom”
Wall Street Journal article “The Goal: Longer Life With Less Loneliness. When older patients feel more connected, they often stay healthier; now health-care providers are taking steps to help them feel less alone.”
Psychology Today cover story “A Cure for Disconnection.” Loneliness is a problem of epidemic proportions, affecting millions from all walks of life. But while its roots are complex, remedies may be within reach.
Harvard Business Review cover story “WORK AND THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC, Reducing isolation at work is good for business.”
Forbes article on research presented at the 125th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association underlines the connection between loneliness and premature death.
New York Times article on the isolation and loneliness facing caregivers and the damaging health repercussions they can experience as a result.
Workforce article on workplace isolation and loneliness as a growing workplace wellness concern.
NPR podcast “Midlife Friendship Key To A Longer, Healthier Life”
The Washington Post article “Loneliness grows from individual ache to public health hazard”
CBS Detroit article– “The Public Health Plight That Doesn’t Bleed: Loneliness”
Everyday Health article where Sanjay Gupta reviews the evidence that loneliness should be treated as a chronic illness and considers steps individuals can take to relieve it.
Everyday Health reviews the research that loneliness has serious and negative health effects on the body, not simply a matter of mind or mood.
Slate article by Jessica Olien on the growing evidence that loneliness poses health risks comparable to other mortality risks like smoking and obesity, incorporating scholarly and popular sources, as well as her personal story.
The Independent (UK) examines the loneliness epidemic in the UK, especially among older adults, and the governmental and charitable efforts to combat it.
Time Magazine reports on a 2015 study that loneliness increases mortality risk by around 30% percent, interviewing the author of the study, and calling loneliness the “next big public health issue.”
Live Science reports on a meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, where the negative biological effects of loneliness were presented, reviewing the research and interviewing its author.
Forbes article on the uptick of suicide among older adults, and considers the economic downturn and lax gun control possible causes.
Huffington Post article discusses loneliness as a growing public health concern, reviewing several recent studies its physical and psychological health effects.
Guardian (UK) column about the deadly health effects of loneliness, and how technology may be responsible for this “age of loneliness.”
Guardian (UK) article detailing seven ways to end loneliness, from personal steps to governmental policy changes.
The New Yorker discusses the growing evidence that the internet and social media increase feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
The New Yorker feature by Nathan Heller about the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness, incorporating research and personal accounts.
University of California San Francisco story on the innovative incorporation of art as medicine at the USCF Medical Center, giving a historical perspective on the research on creative expression as healing and discussing the specific problem of loneliness.