Mental health and loneliness

Nearly half of Americans report living without meaningful social interaction—they are lonely. Experts have declared chronic loneliness an epidemic, and social isolation a public health issue. New research reveals that loneliness shortens life, leads to higher rates of diseases like high blood pressure, and is linked to suicide and other mental health issues. For people of color already grappling with racial and ethnic discrimination, loneliness hits even harder, creating greater anxiety and depression.