New Insights into Social Isolation and Loneliness

Book excerpt: Social isolation is generally recognized as a major public health problem and is widely recognized to have detrimental consequences for people's health, including reduced mental health, increased risk of disease (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer), mortality, and cognitive decline. It is widely recognized that social isolation is a major cause of death. Combined with the recent COVID-19 and other changes in social conditions, social isolation, and loneliness are becoming an increasing concern. Social isolation can occur regardless of gender or age, and the occurrence process and related factors warrant further investigation.