Monthly Visits from Family, Friends Linked to Increased Lifespan: Study

Study reveals greatest risk reductions for older, socially isolated individuals when family and friends visit monthly, while living alone raises mortality risk significantly, even if engaged in group activities.

• A study by the University of Glasgow found that people who experienced regular visits from friends and family had a reduced mortality risk, while living alone increased the risk of dying, even with active participation in group activities.
• The study tracked 458,146 UK adults aged between 37 and 73 for an average of 12.6 years and found that lack of social visits was associated with a 39% increased risk of death.
• Participants living alone and not participating in weekly group activities or regular family and friend visits had a 77% higher risk of death, emphasizing the impact of social connections on lifespan.
• The study did not measure the quality of social connections, and future research is required to delve deeper into the cause-effect relationship between social interaction and health.
• Strong social networks have been linked to longevity in Blue Zones – regions with a high proportion of centenarians, and are considered a key lifestyle factor.

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