Loneliness A Global Threat: WHO

Nobody likes to live a lonely life. Humans are social animals, and it is inherent for us to live in communities, socialise and make connections. However, with all its technologies and advances, the modern world is making man an isolated creature. This is why loneliness is breeding in every nook and corner of the globe. WHO has recently declared loneliness as a pressing global health threat equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. To address this concern, WHO has launched an international commission to promote social connections and develop promising interventions. According to the WHO, in older adults, loneliness is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia and a 30% increased risk of coronary artery disease or stroke.

Additionally, 5% and 15% of adolescents are lonely; however, these figures are likely to be underestimations, said the WHO. At a time, loneliness was considered a problem in developed countries. Still, recently, it has been seen that the rates of one in four older people experiencing social isolation are similar in all regions of the world. Loneliness transcends all borders and can become a global pandemic. There is a pressing need to address this concern, as loneliness can mean poorer economic outcomes and a decline in the intellectual quotient of the masses in the future.