How Having Roommates Is Good For Your Health (& Your Wallet)

The United Kingdom last week created a new government leadership role, naming Tracey Crouch the world's first "minister of loneliness." While the idea might lend itself to punchlines, the role is designed to address what has become a surprisingly serious public health crisis. Loneliness contributes to addiction, depression, heart disease, and dementia; its long-term mortality effect is on par with smoking 15 cigarettes a day.