Loneliness: the public health crisis we can’t afford to ignore

Loneliness: the public health crisis we can’t afford to ignore

Loneliness doesn’t always look like what you might think, and is quite different to social isolation. It’s not about how many people are around you but how connected you feel to them. Loneliness occurs when there is a gap between the relationships we desire and the ones we experience. For older adults, this gap is often widened by significant life changes, such as retirement, the death of a partner, health decline, and shifting social environments, like moving into aged care facilities.

And it’s much more than a passing feeling. Beyond fleeting emotions, chronic loneliness carries severe physical, emotional, and economic consequences, demanding urgent attention from health professionals, policymakers, and communities alike.

A recent article in the Medical Journal of Australia has highlighted the grave health impacts of loneliness, and the statistics are quite confronting. Chronic loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia, and it raises the likelihood of premature death by up to 26%. But the problem runs deeper: loneliness not only worsens health outcomes but also drives greater demand for healthcare services and reliance on institutional care. With nearly 29% of Australians over 60 experiencing some degree of loneliness, the economic and social implications of this epidemic are staggering.

Australia’s ageing population adds another layer of complexity. Health professionals report that older adults who feel lonely may visit doctors not just for medical reasons but to fulfil unmet social needs. This ‘social prescribing’ of healthcare creates a hidden cost burden that is not just financial—it also overwhelms an already stretched health system. And loneliness has been linked to lifestyle issues such as physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol misuse, which further increase public healthcare spending.

The article says that efforts to tackle loneliness have often failed to deliver lasting results, largely because they rely on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Some interventions have shown promise, but they rarely address the complexity of individual experiences, or are inclusive enough for diverse communities. Instead, the article suggests we need person-centred, holistic strategies that engage older adults directly in designing programs tailored to their needs.

Addressing loneliness is not just a social responsibility but also an economic necessity, as untreated loneliness drives up healthcare and institutional care costs. And solving the problem requires more than financial investment—it demands a cultural shift that reduces stigma around loneliness and encourages open conversations. Health professionals, policymakers, and communities can all play a part in making social connection a public health priority, recognising that loneliness affects both individual wellbeing and society at large.