Living Alone Linked to Higher Mortality Risk

A study of 598,023 U.S. adults found living alone was associated with higher death risk from several causes, with the strongest links among adults under 65.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Nutrition

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single empty wooden chair in a bare room, lit by soft light from a tall window. — A study of 598,023 U.S. adults published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found living alone was linked to higher mortality risk from several causes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology linked living alone to increased mortality risk from multiple causes. The analysis drew on National Health Interview Survey-National Death Index data covering 1998 to 2018.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that living arrangements are a measurable factor in health outcomes, particularly for suicide and heart disease. Researchers noted that sociodemographic and health-related characteristics accounted for a substantial share of the difference among younger adults.

The analysis covered 598,023 U.S. adults, with a hazard ratio of 1.22 for all-cause mortality among those aged 18 to 64 living alone compared with those living with others. Researchers reported that 57.1 percent of that younger-adult mortality difference was explained by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, leaving the remaining share unexplained by the study.

The players

International Journal of Epidemiology

A peer-reviewed academic journal publishing research on the causes and distribution of disease in populations.

The details

Researchers examined associations between living alone and cause-specific mortality using linked survey and death-record data. Among adults 18 to 64, living alone was associated with higher mortality from cerebrovascular disease, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and accidents, while among adults 65 and older it was associated with higher hypertension mortality.

Data for the study covered 1998 to 2018.
The study was published online on Oct. 27, 2026.

Health Landscape

The study relies on the National Health Interview Survey-National Death Index linked dataset, which allows researchers to connect household characteristics such as living arrangement to later cause-specific deaths. Its findings add to a growing body of population-level research on how social isolation relates to long-term health outcomes.

For adults who live alone, the findings highlight that social connection and household support may be relevant to overall health, especially for those under 65. Readers concerned about their own risk may find it useful to discuss social support and mental health with a clinician.

The takeaway

Living arrangements appear to be one piece of a broader picture of health, alongside sociodemographic and medical factors. Staying socially connected may be a practical way to support long-term wellbeing, particularly for adults living alone.