Loneliness Worse Than Smoking, Alcoholism, Obesity; Study Suggests Primary Care Clinicians Can Offer Solutions

Loneliness Worse Than Smoking, Alcoholism, Obesity; Study Suggests Primary Care Clinicians Can Offer Solutions  InkFreeNews.com

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May 30, 2024 - 09:00
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Loneliness Worse Than Smoking, Alcoholism, Obesity; Study Suggests Primary Care Clinicians Can Offer Solutions

Loneliness Worse Than Smoking, Alcoholism, Obesity; Study Suggests Primary Care Clinicians Can Offer Solutions

Addressing Loneliness in Older Adults: The Role of Primary Care Clinicians

Introduction

Loneliness has been identified as a significant biopsychosocial stressor, with a mortality risk that rivals smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day and surpasses the risks associated with alcoholism, obesity, and lack of physical activity. This issue is particularly prevalent among older adults in primary care settings, with 53% experiencing loneliness, leading to reduced quality of life and health outcomes.

Study Findings

A study conducted by the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine, led by research scientists Dr. Monica Williams-Farrelly, Dr. Malaz Boustani, and Dr. Nicole Fowler, highlights the critical role primary care clinicians can play in addressing loneliness among their patients. The research suggests that clinicians should screen for loneliness and provide resources to help older adults build meaningful social relationships.

Interventions and Solutions

  1. Screening for Loneliness: Primary care physicians are encouraged to routinely inquire about their patients’ social interactions and feelings of loneliness.
  2. Circle of Friends Concept: A three-month group-based psychosocial rehabilitation model that has shown effectiveness in reducing loneliness and improving health outcomes.
  3. Providing Resources: Clinicians should offer solutions and resources to help older adults maintain, foster, and develop social relationships.

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The study’s emphasis on addressing loneliness aligns with several SDGs, including:

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By identifying loneliness as a health risk, the study contributes to promoting well-being for older adults.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The interventions aim to reduce inequalities faced by older adults who may be socially isolated.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Encouraging social interaction contributes to building inclusive communities for all ages.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of primary care clinicians in combating the loneliness epidemic, especially in light of the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent call to action. With the trend of increasing loneliness among older adults, interventions like the Circle of Friends concept offer promising solutions to improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Further Research

The data used in this study was gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for ongoing research to address the complex issue of loneliness. The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and funded by a National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging grant.

Analysis of the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Specific targets under SDG 3 that can be identified based on the article’s content include:

  • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

  • Indicator for Target 3.4: The prevalence of loneliness among older adults in the primary care population, which affects their physical and mental health-related quality of life.
  • Indicator for Target 3.8: The implementation of interventions such as the Circle of Friends concept in primary care settings to address loneliness and improve health outcomes.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being. Prevalence of loneliness among older adults in the primary care population.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services. Implementation of interventions such as the Circle of Friends concept in primary care settings.

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: inkfreenews.com

 

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