SOCIAL CONNECTION AND HEALTH
Scientific studies show that connection to other people influences health and disease.
Observational studies over 35 years showed that the degree of closeness to either parent correlated to the presence of significant health issues. Those who lacked closeness to one or both parents had a much higher incidence of a significant health issue. A similar study of 1,100 medical students followed up over 50 years showed higher rates of cancer, suicide, mental illness, and coronary artery disease in those children who were not close to their parents. In another study, coronary artery disease patients (confirmed by injecting dye into the arteries) were followed for 5 years. Those who were married and said they had someone to confide in had a death rate of 15% while those who lived alone and had no confidant had a 50% death rate.
Other studies show that married men and women live longer. Men shown love by their wives have fewer ulcers. The Alameda County study of 6,900 people were studied for 17 years. Those without close ties or frequent social contact had an overall death rate 3.1 times higher than those who did have these contacts. These studies, as well as many others, indicate that social isolation is a significant risk factor in cancer, coronary artery disease and other causes of mortality.
Other studies of psychosocial treatment show improved health outcomes. A study of women with metastatic breast cancer had a 5-year follow-up. The intervention group had a weekly 90-minute support group session for one year. All therapy between control and intervention groups was otherwise the same. Women in the support group did better with depression and anxiety and lived twice as long on average as the control group (18 months versus 9 months). The Dean Ornish program designed to reverse heart disease combined a low fat, vegetarian diet; exercise; yoga; and group support. Results showed an actual reversal of the amount of blockage of coronary arteries. Other studies have also documented the improved outcomes of patients treated with psychosocial support.
People who lack social support and connection are at a significantly higher risk of illness and death. Creating and maintaining healthy connections with others is a good idea and should be encouraged in friends and family who are living isolated lives.
Daniel Blodgett MD