Health experts are now finding deleterius correlations between loneliness and human health. With advances in the virtual world, Americans are finding themselves increasingly isolated, creating cocoons of insularity. Studies link loneliness to increased levels of stress and inflammation - the kind that leads to diabetes and heart disease.
Idaho Matters discusses the physical and psychological impacts of loneliness with Dr. Amy Walters, a licensed psychologist and behavioral specialist at Humphreys Diabetes Center and Erin Olsen, outreach and education specialist at the Idaho Commission on Aging.