Lonely America: Half of Americans Are Lonely

According to a new survey from Cigna, nearly 50 percent of adult Americans are feeling lonely sometimes or always. Also, the population group affected the most by loneliness are young people.

The Cigna survey involved 20,000 adult Internet users across the nation. Researchers used the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a tool to measure a person’s loneliness based on a series of questions, in their analysis.

People who scored 43 or more on the UCLA loneliness scale were deemed lonely by Cigna researchers.

• Fifty-four percent of participants said they feel other people don’t know them well.
• Also, 56% said that they often sense their peers are not with them.
• Two in five respondents complained about lack of companionship, isolation, or the lack of meaningful relations.

The latest poll also revealed that the country’s average score when it comes to loneliness is 44, which means that most adult Americans are lonely.

Half of Americans view themselves as lonely,

said Cigna researchers.

Loneliness Can Kill You

The findings are in line with past research on loneliness in America. Past studies have found that from 20 to 43 percent of adult Americans are lonely or feel socially isolated.

Study authors warned that loneliness can lead to negative health outcomes since physical health often relies on a good mental health. Many medical symptoms are associated with lifestyle, mental health issues, and behavioral problems like loneliness.

Past research has also linked loneliness to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, weaker immune system, and slower recovery from cancer.

More and more studies suggest that loneliness can literally kill you as it can boost the risk of early death in the elderly and young people alike.
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