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The Hidden Impact of Loneliness on Chronic Care: New Insights from Pleio

At the recent Asembia AXS25 Conference, Pleio, a pioneering peer-to-patient platform, unveiled a compelling report highlighting an often-ignored issue in chronic care: loneliness. This groundbreaking research, titled Loneliness and Health Behaviors: A Missing Link in Chronic Care, analyzed the emotional barriers patients face while managing their health and revealed startling findings that show how deeply loneliness affects their physical wellbeing.

Understanding the Findings

In a survey involving 2,008 American patients living with chronic conditions, an alarming 74% reported that feelings of loneliness have a negative impact on their physical health. This statistic underscores the importance of addressing emotional well-being as an integral part of patient care, particularly in the context of chronic illnesses that typically require consistent treatment and adherence to medical advice.

Michael Oleksiw, CEO of Pleio, stated, "Our support model is built on human connection, and what we've been seeing from patients told us something bigger was at play. Loneliness isn't just hurting patients emotionally, it's putting their health at risk." His remarks encapsulate the essence of the report's call to action; healthcare providers must extend their focus beyond the clinical aspects of care to incorporate emotional support.

Diagnosis: The Initial Disruption

The problems often begin at the diagnosis phase. Impressively, nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents indicated that their feelings of loneliness intensified upon receiving their diagnosis. This figure jumps to 74% among patients on specialty medications and reaches 80% for cancer patients. This emotional turmoil often leads to disengagement, where patients struggle to understand their condition and become overwhelmed by it. Consequently, they may be less likely to adhere to treatment regimens.

Everyday Struggles

Pleio’s research also identified how loneliness tangibly affects daily health behaviors. A significant portion of respondents revealed that feelings of loneliness intervened in various daily activities:

• - 52% admitted loneliness interfered with taking medications as prescribed, and this number escalated to 70% among specialty medication users.
• - 41% avoided collecting prescriptions due to emotional detachment.

These figures starkly illustrate that loneliness has real-world implications on patients' health routines, manifesting in difficulties such as meal preparation and attending medical appointments.

Moreover, the survey pointed out that 73% of participants felt that loneliness hindered them from completing everyday tasks, while 59% reported a lack of motivation to attend medical check-ups. This disengagement can lead to a downward spiral, with almost 34% experiencing serious health events stemming from challenges in managing their conditions alone.

The Public Health Concern

Jeremy Nobel, MD, a distinguished public health expert based at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the gravity of this issue. He stated, “Loneliness directly impacts mortality. Data shows that the health risks of loneliness in the U.S. are comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.” The findings indicate that loneliness is not just a social concern; it has emerged as a definitive public health issue that demands attention across various demographics.

Building Connections

The encouraging takeaway from the report is the identification of peer-to-patient support programs as a promising intervention strategy. The survey revealed that patients are receptive to connecting with others who share similar experiences. Specifically:

• - 86% expressed willingness to engage with peer supporters if given the chance.
• - 74% believed they could better manage their health conditions with such support.
• - 72% were more likely to correctly follow prescribed medication plans if peer support was available.

These results imply that stakeholders in the healthcare sector need to integrate empathy-driven patient engagement strategies into their frameworks, effectively addressing the emotional barriers that prevent successful chronic disease management.

Conclusion

As pointed out by Abby Reynolds, PharmD, Chief Experience Officer of Pleio, loneliness is often undetectable in clinical settings yet has profound effects. She urges the healthcare industry to listen to patients’ experiences, highlighting that emotional disconnection is detrimentally hindering their health.

On April 30, during the Asembia event, Pleio plans to host a fireside chat discussing these findings and the importance of emotional wellness in the patient journey, embodying a progressive approach to healthcare that prioritizes human connection and support in the battle against chronic illnesses. With the emergence of such studies, it is clear that the healthcare landscape is changing, paving the way for more holistic approaches to patient care.