Not Drinking, Not Smoking: Scientists Say This Gen Z 'Epidemic' Might Kill You First

Like every generation, Generation Z has its own unique characteristics and concerns that shape many of the people belonging to this age group. Better known as "Gen Z," this group consists of individuals born between 1997 and 2012, and they are the very first generation that grew up with the internet. As with other generations, specific external events have greatly impacted Gen Z, including the rise of the digital age, the COVID-19 pandemic, and accelerating climate change. Yet there's also some activities that Gen Z has strayed from compared with previous generations such as Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. For example, Gen Zers are far less likely to drink alcohol due to shifting views, tighter budgets, and health concerns. At the same time, while cigarette smoking has declined in the U.S., Gen Zers are propelling an alarming trend in vaping. Despite the concerns surrounding e-cigarettes among Gen Z, it turns out that loneliness is a another worrisome trend that's running rampant in this age group.

The Gen Z and loneliness connection has garnered the interest of researchers in recent years as valid concerns mount of the consequences of this psychological state. First, it's important to understand that while social isolation can fuel feelings of loneliness, solitude and loneliness are not synonymous. However, staying socially connected can reduce loneliness overall. There has also been a rise in more solitary situations that have likely fueled loneliness among Gen Zers. These include an increase in remote versus in-person work, social media replacing in-person social activities, and isolation fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. While any of these factors can affect people of all ages, Gen Z has experienced the most impacts. Aside from how social media can affect the brain, research also points to an increased risk of loneliness.

There are three generally recognized pillars of health, including diet, exercise, and sleep (in fact, sleep may drive longevity the most!) However, researchers are beginning to understand how other aspects of our health can be impacted by social connections, too, which has prompted the labeling of loneliness as an epidemic. In 2025, the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection released some stunning findings about loneliness and health. Not only does the WHO estimate that one in six people are impacted by loneliness worldwide, but they also attribute 871,000 deaths per year to loneliness. Notably, their report also said the highest rates of loneliness were among teenagers.

The problem isn't necessarily the number of connections a person might have, but instead lies in the quality of these connections. It's possible to feel lonely when you desire social connections that have not been actualized, leading to painful feelings. (It's even thought that quality social connections can lower inflammation in the body, which is yet another feature associated with numerous types of chronic diseases.) Loneliness can also increase stress, and it might make it harder to sleep at night. Both of these types of issues alone may have adverse impacts on your health long-term. On top of that, while loneliness isn't a mental health condition, it is associated with a greater risk of anxiety and depression. According to WHO, loneliness and social isolation are both linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Separately, a 2017 study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences also found a 27% increase in mortality rate in lonely versus non-lonely individuals.

While loneliness is a big concern among Gen Z, it's certainly not exclusive to this generation. A close second are Millennials, who also report high levels of loneliness. Born between 1981 and 1996, many Millennials also grew up when the internet was just taking off, and some members of this generation may be prone to some of the same causes of social isolation seen in Gen Zers, too.

Loneliness is also a problem among other adults, including Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, and even Gen Xers born between 1965 and 1980. While age is not a direct cause of loneliness, there are some life events middle and older adults experience that can increase the risk of feeling lonely. Just some examples include changing family dynamics with aging parents and empty-nesters, and even retirement. As the digital age also has the side effect of increased social isolation, it's worth wondering whether Generation Alpha, the youngest generation, may also experience issues with loneliness going forward.

No matter what your age or generation, the fact is that loneliness can happen to anyone, and it's a bigger health crisis than previously believed. The good news is there are concrete steps you can take to reduce feelings of loneliness that can improve your health and well-being while possibly decreasing the risk of dying early from some common habits. Intentionally schedule social events on your calendar, try out a new club or hobby, and make it a point to reach out to others on a consistent basis. Limiting phone use during social gatherings can also be helpful to increase feelings of presence and inclusion.