Doctors say loneliness and social isolation should be discussed in health visits [Video]

Physicians are calling for primary care doctors to ask patients about loneliness and social isolation at routine health checks and when managing chronic diseases as emerging research suggests it could be just as important as checking blood pressure, heart health and lifestyle factors for health outcomes.

Published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the new guidance highlights several areas to better address social isolation and loneliness in the healthcare system through screening, chronic disease management, policies and partnerships with community resources in an effort to recognize this as a medical issue.

Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness and isolation an epidemic and Its health impacts have been compared to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Loneliness and social isolation can lead to a number of negative mental and physical health problems, according to research, and doctors say it’s important to discuss this topic in …