Loneliness Triples Risk of Early Death in Women, Study Finds

Feeling lonely isn’t just emotionally painful—it could be deadly. A new Australian study has revealed that chronic loneliness can triple the risk of early death in women, prompting calls for health professionals to screen for it as routinely as they do for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Published in BMJ Medicine, the study from the University of Sydney tracked the health outcomes of women aged 48 to 55 over a 15-year period. Data came from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, which surveys women every three years about their wellbeing.

The findings were striking:

• Women who never reported feeling lonely had a 5% risk of dying over the study period.

• Those who consistently felt lonely faced a 15% risk of early death—three times higher.

• The more frequently a woman reported loneliness, the greater her risk of dying early.

“This study clearly shows that loneliness isn’t just an emotional issue—it’s a serious health risk,” said Dr Neta HaGani, the study’s lead author. “It should be treated with the same urgency as physical health conditions.”

Why Midlife Women Are Particularly Vulnerable

The researchers noted that midlife can be especially challenging for women, often involving a unique combination of physical, emotional, and social transitions.These include menopause, retirement, children leaving home, and caring for both young children and ageing parents.

“Women in this age group often shoulder a disproportionate caregiving burden, while also navigating major life changes,” explained Professor Melody Ding, senior author of the study. “These factors can significantly impact how socially connected they feel.”

A Growing Public Health Issue

In 2022, over 16% of Australians reported feeling lonely. Interestingly, while loneliness has been rising among younger people, it’s declining among those aged 65 and older, suggesting that loneliness is not just an issue for older adults.

Next Steps: Screening and Destigmatising Loneliness

Researchers are now calling for loneliness to be recognised as an independent health risk. They recommend routine screening by clinicians and increased public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.

“We must raise awareness and normalise discussions around loneliness,” said Dr HaGani. “Just as we test for cholesterol or monitor blood pressure, we should be checking in on a person’s social health.”

This study is a powerful reminder that health isn’t just physical—our emotional and social wellbeing plays a critical role in how long and how well we live.