PROVO, UT (KGO) -- A new study finds loneliness could be a greater threat to public health than obesity.
Researchers at Brigham Young University say being connected to others is crucial to well-being and survival. They cite babies in custodial care who lack human contact an fail to thrive as an extreme example.
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They also point to social isolation and solitary confinement used as a form of punishment.
More than 45 million adults over 45 are considered to be suffering from chronic loneliness according to the AARP.
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Click here to learn more about the research.
This is an undated image of a woman folding her hands. (KGO-TV)