Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched an international commission to address the issue of loneliness — a pressing global health threat.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and African Union youth envoy Chido Mpemba have been appointed as cochairs of the commission. They will be responsible to outline solutions over a period of three years to build social connections.
In a recently released report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”, Murthy had stated that the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is like smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, WHO says it affects the health and well-being of all age groups across the world.
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death,” he said.
According to WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus, high rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and well-being. “The WHO commission will help establish social connections as a global health priority and share the most promising interventions,” he said.
