Loneliness has been found to have harmful health impacts, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed on Wednesday as it initiated a committee to examine how social connections could promote good health.
People with fewer social interactions are more at risk of experiencing strokes, anxiety, dementia, depression and suicide, stated WHO's chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The risk of premature death from loneliness is equal or even greater to death risks associated with smoking, obesity or air pollution.
In various countries, individuals of all ages suffer due to a lack of contact with friends and relatives. Studies indicate that social isolation affects 5-15% of teenagers globally and a quarter of the elderly population – numbers which are likely underestimated.
In the next three years, the new WHO committee plans to devise strategies to encourage social interaction. The impact of strong social ties on economic and social development within societies will also be analysed.
