Lonliness Effects Studied

Researchers studying health effects, causes of loneliness.
USA Today (4/8, Szabo) reports, "Researchers are studying the causes and health effects of loneliness -- both on the body and mind -- in the hope of helping people and communities stay healthy and connected. Lonely people tend to have higher blood pressure and weaker immune systems," says John Cacioppo, director of the University of Chicago's Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience. In fact, "loneliness may even affect our genes. In lonely people, genes that promote inflammation are more active, while genes that reduce inflammation are less active, he says." Cacioppo also points out that "the pain of loneliness is caused less by being alone than by feeling alone."