A team of Newcastle researchers has found loneliness in middle age has a strong link with developing dementia later in life. Login or signup to continue reading The University of Newcastle research on 1968 Hunter residents over the age of 55 showed dementia risk almost trebled with persistent feelings of loneliness and doubled with transient loneliness. The findings, based on data from the decade-long Hunter Community Study, suggested exposure to loneliness before the age of 70 could quadruple the risk of dementia.
"These results suggest that promoting coping strategies for loneliness, especially in persons 70 years and younger, may play a role in preventing dementia," the study concludes. "Feeling lonely in middle age and young late adulthood appears to be a critical exposure period." The results, published on Saturday in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry , come as the NSW government launches a parliamentary inquiry into loneliness.
The inquiry will examine the extent, causes and impacts of loneliness; review how other regions address loneliness; help identify those most at risk of social isolation; and identify steps to reduce its impact. Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said loneliness had profound impacts on mental and physical wellbeing. "With this NSW government inquiry, we aim to delve deeper into loneliness, which has emerged as a significant public health issue following the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.
Dementia is the second leading cause of .