Sir, – Jennifer O'Connell (Life, February 19th) describes recent research published by John Cacioppo's laboratory in the University of Chicago, reporting that lonely individuals were twice as likely to die as non-lonely counterparts during the six-year study. Cacioppo's laboratory has an international and deservedly stellar reputation; however, similar research is also being conducted closer to home.
Here at the NEIL (Neuroenhancement for Independent Lives) programme at Trinity College Dublin we are conducting novel research into how we can develop strategies to intervene upon social isolation and loneliness among older adults. While studies such as Cacioppo’s are important in demonstrating the link between loneliness and health, it is also incumbent upon researchers to devise ways, as O’Connell says, to create opportunities for social engagement.
The study, entitled RelAte, combines nutritional and social support for older adults who are living alone. We are in the process of recruiting 100 older adults to take part in this study, and we have the help of 50 volunteers over the age of 50 to provide this support. The volunteers will visit the homes of the participants, to cook and share a meal with them, once a week for eight weeks.
It is hard to overstate the importance of research into loneliness. Loneliness is a health risk that is comparable to that of smoking or obesity (House, Landis & Umberson, 1988) and it is crucial that future health policy reflects this. See www.tcd.ie/Neuroscience/neil/research/relate.php – Yours, etc,
Dr JOANNA McHUGH,
NEIL Program,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.