WHO Declares Loneliness as a Global Health Threat

 

Loneliness has been officially recognized as a global public health concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has initiated an international commission on loneliness, emphasizing its adverse effects on health, which can be as severe as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

This 15-cigarette equivalency arose from observations that experiencing chronic loneliness can increase the risk of a suffering a range of different chronic medical conditions. Studies that have found poor or insufficient social connection to be associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease, a 32% increase in the risk of stroke, and increases in the risk of anxiety, depression, dementia, respiratory illness, and viral infections.

The COVID-19 pandemic, with its disruptions to economic and social activities, has exacerbated loneliness levels. Now, one in four older people globally experiences social isolation.

The consequences of loneliness are far-reaching, affecting both older adults and young people. In older adults, loneliness is linked to a 50% increased risk of developing dementia and a 30% increased risk of coronary artery disease or stroke.