By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1968, Harry Nilsson released the album Aerial Bullet with a track titled One.  In the lyrics, he wrote “one is the loneliest number you’ll ever do.”  Harry Nilsson indicated he got the inspiration when he called a friend and got the busy signal going beep, beep, beep. Remember the days when you got a busy signal with no answering machines or voicemail available?

Many of you may not remember Nilsson’s version, but rather may remember the cover of One done by Three Dog Night. Their version was released in 1969. The American rock band took this song to number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the same year. 

Three Dog Night was formed in 1967 and recorded 21 top 40 hits between 1969 and 1975.  The band was named after an idiom meaning if the temperature was bitterly cold then you would need three dogs to keep you warm at night.  

The band was famous for using external writers for their lyrics.  Randy Newman, who composed songs for the Pixar movie Toy Story, wrote one of their top selling songs.  In 1970, Three Dog Night released Mama Told Me (Not to Come) written by Newman.  Hoyt Axton wrote their famous song Joy to the World and Paul Williams composed An Old Fashioned Love Song for the group. 

As the song states, one can be the loneliest number and being lonely can increase one’s risk of significant health issues.  One concern was the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the societal ramifications.  

A common definition for loneliness is an unpleasant experience of varying duration for an individual that results when relationships or social networks are perceived to be lacking in some way.  Social isolation is the objective experience of having few or no important meaningful social relationships or social contacts with others.  

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health documented the impact of social isolation due to COVID-19.  The researchers interviewed behavioral health providers and evaluated health statistics.  The isolation worsened mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse.  The study found that 21% of the population reported severe loneliness during COVID-19, which was increased from 6% before the pandemic.  

The CDC published similar data in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report documenting an increase in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to COVID-19. The report indicated 37.1% of high school students had poor mental health during COVID-19 and 44.2% described persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.  The students who felt disconnected or isolated from friends were more likely to have symptoms.  

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in conjunction with CNN conducted a survey evaluating mental health related to COVID-19 in early 2023.  Among US adults, 90% believe the country is facing a mental health crisis and a substance abuse epidemic.  These concerns are related to the sharp increase in opioid overdose deaths over the last 3 years as well as reports of high rates of anxiety and depression in young adults age 18 to 26 years.  

A study published in BMC Psychiatry reported the risk of loneliness in new mothers in the postpartum period.  The publication evaluated 27 studies found in the global literature.  The research correlated loneliness with depression.  Loneliness was often the result of self-isolation and the mismatch in expectations and actual support from family and the community after the birth of a baby.  

Younger adults seem to be at higher risk, but what about older adults? 

A 2023 study in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences evaluated loneliness in middle-aged and older Americans.  The study evaluated both short-term and long-term loneliness over a 20-year time frame.  This information was gathered from the Health and Retirement Study distributed to adults born before 1965. The survey is sent out every 2 years to track a wide range of information including demographic characteristics, social relationships, employment, income, and wealth.  

The prevalence of loneliness actually decreased in this age group from 20.1% to 15.5% over the 20 years.  The sustained loneliness response decreased from 4.6% to 3.6%.  The study found those who were born between 1928 and 1945 were less likely to report loneliness.  Other factors noted to decrease the likelihood of loneliness were a college education, being married, and those still working. 

Contrary to common perceptions, middle-aged and older Americans are less likely to experience loneliness.  It is important to find ways to engage and be social to prevent loneliness.  In addition, our concerns should be directed to the younger generations to keep them involved and to develop social relationships.  

One is the loneliest number.  

ONU HealthWise is offering bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please call the pharmacy for more information. 

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784