In a society increasingly built on individuality and reliant on technology instead of face-to-face connection, it’s no surprise that people are feeling lonelier. The so-called “loneliness epidemic” has fueled a surge in mental health issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But what starts as a psychological challenge is now proving to have serious physical consequences, too.
At the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco (ENDO2025), researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California presented a study on how social isolation can raise the risk of diabetes and poor blood sugar control in older adults.
“These findings are especially relevant given the rapidly growing aging population in the United States and globally, alongside the widespread prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among older adults,” explained lead researcher Samiya Khan in a press release.
Social connections are essential for our mental and physical well-being, yet social ...
