Social isolation and loneliness have been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global health threat that requires attention.
The World Health Organization has immediately launched an International Commission on Loneliness to deal with this health condition.
Led by US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and African Union Youth Ambassador Chido Mpemba, the commission also includes 11 lawyers and government ministers, Vanuatu’s Climate Change Adaptation Minister Ralph Rijenwanu and Japanese Minister Ayoko Kato.
The World Health Organization points out that the consequence of death caused by loneliness is as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
This comes after the Covid-19 pandemic halted economic and social activity.
The WHO Commission on Social Relations operates for a period of three years.
“’Loneliness’ transcends borders. It is becoming a global public health problem affecting all aspects of health, well-being and development,” Mpemba said.
“Social isolation knows no age or boundaries.” He says.
The organization points out that this has become a more serious situation in developed countries. In some countries, one in three adults suffer from loneliness.
In adults, loneliness increases the risk of developing dementia by 50%.
It also increases the risk of coronary artery disease or stroke by 30%.
It also damages young lives. According to statistics, between 5% and 15% of teenagers suffer from loneliness.
12.7% of young women in Africa experience loneliness, compared to 5.3% in Europe.
