The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that loneliness poses a major threat to health, with its mortality effects equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
To combat this, the WHO has launched an international commission, which will be led by Dr Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, and Chido Mpemba, the African Union youth envoy. The commission will include 11 advocates and government ministers from around the world. The commission on social connection will run for three years.
Loneliness has been on the increase since the COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns in many countries. The pandemic also highlighted the issue as many people were left isolated by the social restrictions that were imposed.
Health risks associated with loneliness are known to be serious – and even more so for those who are older, where it is associated with increasing the risk of developing dementia by 50% and coronary artery disease or stroke by 30%.
This is a global problem – one in four older people experience social isolation, which is consistent in all regions of the world, according to Murthy.
It is estimated that 5-15% of adolescents are lonely, but it is thought likely that the figure is underestimated. Again, this figure goes across the world.
For younger people, loneliness can mean they are more likely to drop out of education or have poor levels of job satisfaction. In Africa, concerns over peace and security, as well as high unemployment levels, contribute to feelings of social isolation, Mpemba said, adding that loneliness is an underappreciated public health threat.
