Those who don’t socialize with friends or family may see their risk of dying early increase by 39%. Many previous studies have linked loneliness or social isolation with a higher risk of premature death and other health outcomes. But few, if any, have looked into how these associations depend on the combined impact of different types of social interaction, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal BMC Medicine. Participants’ social isolation was gauged by how often they were visited by friends or family, how often they engaged in weekly group activities, and whether they lived alone. It’s also possible that any of these factors could lead to loneliness or social isolation rather than result from them, according to the study.

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Persons: “, ”, Hamish Foster, weren’t, Anthony Ong, —, It’s, Foster, Jason Gill, Olivia Remes, wasn’t, Gill Organizations: CNN, BMC Medicine, School of Health, University of Glasgow, Cornell University, University of Cambridge, Social, Networks Locations: Scotland, United Kingdom, New York, England