Research has shown that individuals who experience persistent loneliness are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. (Representational Image)
If smoking, alcohol and obesity have so far been known enemies of your physical health, then add loneliness as a risk factor too. Researchers at the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, have found that loneliness is fast emerging as a public health crisis, with it being no longer confined to urban pockets but a reality in rural areas as well. Also, since existing literature links loneliness to serious damage to physical health, researchers urge that this condition be addressed more seriously.
What the study found
Published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, the PGIMER study maps loneliness among adults in rural areas. “Most of the study’s subjects,” according to Dr Aseem Mehra, assistant professor of psychiatry and principal investigator of the study, were women, married, with a mean age of 67.6 years and belonging to a non-nuclear family. The prevalence of loneliness was 66.4 per cent in this group of elderly women as they reported a lack of companionship (64.8 per cent), being left out in life (45.2 per cent) and being isolated from others (52.8 per cent).
“Those who were single at the time of the study reported significantly more loneliness than married ones. Those from nuclear families and middle socio-economic status reported a significantly higher level of loneliness,” Mehra explains.
Why the rural loneliness data is worrisome
Emerging literature, says Mehra, suggests that loneliness has several adverse impacts in the form of an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, premature mortality, depression, dementia, anxiety and so on. “The effects are almost comparable with the adverse consequences of smoking, alcohol, or obesity,” he adds.
Dr Rahul Chakravarty, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, and co-author of the study, says like pre-diabetes, which accelerates to diabetes if not controlled, unaddressed loneliness, too, can lead to severe depression, anxiety and other mental and physical health issues.
“Lethargy, headaches, lack of hunger, overeating junk food in the young, joint pains, fatigue and obesity are classic symptoms we often see in people who are lonely and stressed. They are not motivated to work, step out, or meet people. Sitting idle and depressed for two hours is equal to smoking one cigarette and has a similar health impact,” Chakravarty explains.
Anchal Sharma, counselling psychologist at the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, says that loneliness is often seen as just an emotional state, but its effects can significantly impact our physical health.
“Research has shown that individuals who experience persistent loneliness are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. This is because loneliness triggers a stress response in the body, leading to increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that, when elevated over time, can damage blood vessels and organs,” Sharma says.
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Loneliness can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. This can also slow down the healing process, prolonging recovery from injuries or surgeries. Sleep disturbances are another common consequence of loneliness, which can further exacerbate health issues by reducing the body’s ability to repair and regenerate.
“In addition to these direct effects, loneliness often leads to a poor diet, lack of exercise, and increased substance use,” she adds.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
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