WHO says loneliness a global health threat

Posted on:
Key Points

Geneva, November 17. Loneliness is a pressing health threat, with serious consequences for the health and mental well-being of the elderly and young people worldwide, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday...

Social isolation -- having an insufficient number of social connections, and loneliness -- and the social pain of not feeling connected are widespread...

Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, they impact the health and well-being of all age groups across the world...

Running for three years, it will analyse the central role social connection plays in improving health for people of all ages and outline solutions to build social connections at scale...

Social isolation also has a serious impact on physical and mental health; studies show that it has been linked to anxiety and depression and can increase risk of cardiovascular disease by 30 per cent...