The World Health Organization has created an international panel on loneliness, which can be as damaging to people’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness a pressing global health threat, with the US surgeon general saying its effects on mortality are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The WHO has set up an international commission on the problem – led by the US surgeon general, Dr Vivek Murthy, and the African Union’s youth envoy, Chido Mpemba – of 11 advocates and government ministers, including Ralph Regenvanu, the minister of Climate Change Adaptation in Vanuatu, and Ayuko Kato, Minister for Loneliness and Isolation Measures in Japan.
It comes after the Covid-19 pandemic halted economic and social activity, increasing levels of loneliness, but also amid a new awareness of the importance of the issue. The WHO Social Connection Commission will operate for three years.
“[Loneliness] it crosses borders and becomes a global public health problem affecting every aspect of health, well-being and development,” said Mpemba. “Social isolation knows no age or boundaries.”
The health risks are as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than those associated with obesity and physical inactivity, according to Murthy.
While loneliness is often seen as a problem for developed countries, Murthy said the rates of one in four seniors experiencing social isolation are similar in all regions of the world.
In older adults, loneliness is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 30% increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke.
But it also destroys the lives of young people. Between 5% and 15% of teenagers are lonely, according to figures that are likely to be underestimated. In Africa, 12.7% of teenagers experience loneliness compared to 5.3% in Europe.
Young people who experience loneliness at school are more likely to drop out of university. It can also lead to worse financial results. Feeling disconnected and unsupported in a job can lead to lower job satisfaction and performance.
Bemba said that across Africa, where most of the population is made up of young people, challenges around peace, security and the climate crisis, as well as high levels of unemployment, contribute to social isolation. “We believe it is important to redefine the narrative surrounding loneliness, particularly for vulnerable populations excluded by the digital divide,” he said.
Murthy added: “These issues do not affect one country… [Loneliness] is an underestimated threat to public health.”