An Updated Systematic Literature Review of the Economic Costs of Loneliness and Social Isolation and the Cost Effectiveness of Interventions.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

There has been growing interest in understanding the economic impacts of loneliness and social isolation. This study updates a previous review on the economic costs of loneliness and social isolation and the cost effectiveness of related interventions.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Embase databases from 2018 to 13 August 2024, supplemented by a search of the grey literature. Studies included cost-of-illness studies, economic evaluations, and social return on investment (SROI) analyses published in the English language. All studies were evaluated for quality and summarised using a narrative approach. Costs reported were converted into US$, year 2024 values.

Results

In total, 15 studies were included: six cost-of-

SUBMITTER: Engel L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12370830 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature