Social isolation can be defined as having little contact, or quality of contact, with others.1 Although social isolation is most common in the elderly, younger adults (for example, housebound and disabled - eg due to multiple sclerosis or a being a single parent of young children) may also be affected by both social isolation and loneliness. Reduced social contact, being alone, isolation and feelings of loneliness are associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality.2 A 2015 meta-analysis showed social isolation had a 29% increased mortality risk, which is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and having an alcohol use disorder.3
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/social-isolation-how-to-help-patients-be-less-lonely