Loneliness as a determinant of health: evidence from the Health Survey of Catalonia
Objective: This study investigates the health effects of loneliness among adults (18+ years) and elderly adults (60+ years). Method: Using data from the Health Survey of Catalonia (ESCA), 2013-2019, the effects of loneliness on health and healthcare utilization outcomes are estimated. Ordinary least...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Gaceta Sanitaria |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0213911125000457 |
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| Summary: | Objective: This study investigates the health effects of loneliness among adults (18+ years) and elderly adults (60+ years). Method: Using data from the Health Survey of Catalonia (ESCA), 2013-2019, the effects of loneliness on health and healthcare utilization outcomes are estimated. Ordinary least squares estimates are provided to explore the channels affecting such relationships. Results: Loneliness is significantly associated to worse health outcomes in all age groups. Among adults, it reduces self-perceived health by 7.1%, increases multi-morbidities by 22.1%, and raises the probability of depression and anxiety by 65.8%. Consequently, a positive and strong association between suffering from loneliness and the use of healthcare resources is documented: with a 7.4% rise in medication use, 20.9% more emergency care visits, and 6.1% higher primary care use. Results for the elderly are aligned with adults, although the magnitude associated to self-perceived health is substantially greater (13.2%). Channels exploration identifies living alone (with a 97.3% increase) and poor household habitability (33.5% increase) as key predictors in all the analysis. Being foreign (60.3% increase in the adult population and 106% in the elderly population) and gender (women, 26.8% for the adult population and 27.5% in the elderly population) become relevant factors explaining loneliness. Conclusions: This study documents the impact of loneliness in Catalonia. Loneliness is associated to significant worse health and more use of healthcare. Tackling individuals with higher risk factors for loneliness could help preventing its concerning consequences on health and healthcare system. Resumen: Objetivo: Este estudio investiga los efectos de la soledad en la salud de adultos (+18 años) y mayores (+60 años). Método: Utilizando datos de la Encuesta de Salud de Cataluña, 2013-2019, se han estimado los efectos de la soledad en la salud y el uso de servicios sanitarios, proporcionando estimaciones de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios para explorar los mecanismos que influyen en estas relaciones. Resultados: La soledad se asocia significativamente con peor salud en todos los grupos de edad. En los adultos reduce la percepción de salud un 7,1%, aumenta la comorbilidad un 22,1% y eleva la probabilidad de prevalencia de depresión y ansiedad un 65,8%. Tiene asociación positiva con el uso de recursos sanitarios: un aumento del 7,4% en el uso de medicamentos, un 20,9% más visitas a urgencias y un 6,1% más visitas en atención primaria. Los resultados para los mayores son concordantes con los de los adultos, aunque la magnitud asociada a la percepción de salud es sustancialmente mayor (13,2%). La exploración de mecanismos identifica vivir solo (con un aumento del 97,3%) y la mala habitabilidad del hogar (33,5% de aumento) como predictores clave en todos los análisis. Ser extranjero (60,3% en los adultos y 106% en las personas mayores) y el sexo (mujer, 26,8% y 27,5%) son otros factores relevantes que explican la soledad. Conclusiones: Se documenta el impacto de la soledad en Cataluña, encontrando una salud significativamente peor y un mayor uso de servicios sanitarios. Abordar a los individuos con mayores factores de riesgo podría ayudar a prevenir estos riesgos. |
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| ISSN: | 0213-9111 |