Loneliness Impacts Healthcare Costs and Service Utilisation

Strategic Insights -

According to a recent study published in the BJPsych Open, loneliness is associated with several physical and mental health problems, yet its costs to the healthcare system remain unclear. The study aimed to review literature on the health and social care impacts of loneliness and review economic evaluations of loneliness interventions. The researchers conducted a systematic review of studies published from 2008 to April 2025 and included 53 studies in their analysis. They found inconsistent results regarding the cost/expenditure of loneliness and healthcare resource use, with some studies reporting excess costs/expenditure and service use, while others found lower costs/expenditure and service use. Economic evaluation studies indicated that loneliness interventions can be cost-effective, but were not consistently cost-saving or effective in reducing loneliness. The study concluded that future research should prioritize addressing evidence gaps, particularly in relation to social care, younger populations, direct healthcare costs of loneliness, and randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to review the health and social care impacts of loneliness and review economic evaluations of loneliness interventions.
  • The researchers included 53 studies in their analysis, focusing on health and social care cost/expenditure, healthcare resource use, and economic evaluations of loneliness interventions.
  • Findings relating to the cost/expenditure of loneliness and healthcare resource use were inconsistent, with some studies reporting excess costs/expenditure and service use, while others found lower costs/expenditure and service use.
  • Economic evaluation studies indicated that loneliness interventions can be cost-effective, but were not consistently cost-saving or effective in reducing loneliness.
  • The study concluded that future research should prioritize addressing evidence gaps, including social care, younger populations, direct healthcare costs of loneliness, and randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups.
  • The study identified a need for further research to understand the economic impact of loneliness interventions.

Statistics:

  • The study evaluated 53 studies published between 2008 and April 2025.
  • Eight studies estimated the healthcare cost/expenditure of loneliness.
  • 33 studies reported healthcare resource use.
  • 19 studies were economic evaluations of loneliness interventions.
  • The study found inconsistent results regarding the cost/expenditure of loneliness and healthcare resource use.

Sources:

  • "The impact of loneliness on healthcare costs and service utilisation and the cost-effectiveness of loneliness interventions: systematic review." BJPsych Open, 2025;11(6).
  • Cambridge Univ Press, Edinburgh Bldg, Shaftesbury Rd, CB2 8RU Cambridge, England.
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.
  • ror.org, 02jx3x895University College London, London, UK.