In the world, 100 people die from loneliness every hour

Every sixth inhabitant of the planet suffers from loneliness. At the same time, about 100 people die every hour from causes related to it - this is more than 871 thousand people per year, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) commission.

The WHO defines loneliness as a painful experience caused by a discrepancy between desired and actual intensity of social connections, and social isolation as a lack of such connections. "Loneliness and social isolation are detrimental to individuals, families and society, and if we do nothing, they will continue to cost society billions, increasing expenses for healthcare, education and employment," emphasized WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Medical professionals note that people of different ages face loneliness, but more often young people and residents of countries with low and middle income levels. Between 17 and 21% of people aged 13 to 29 admit to feeling lonely, with it being most prevalent among teenagers. In low-income countries, approximately 24% of respondents consider themselves lonely, which is twice as many as in high-income countries (approximately 11%). There is little data on the prevalence of social isolation, but it is believed to affect a third of elderly people and a quarter of adolescents. According to the document, people with disabilities, refugees and migrants, representatives of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities are susceptible to it. They may face discrimination and additional restrictions that make it difficult to establish social connections. The causes of loneliness and isolation are different. They can be related to illness, low income, lack of good social infrastructure, living alone, deficiencies in public policy, and features of the digital environment. The authors of the report emphasize that it is important to monitor how long young people use gadgets and how negative communication on the internet affects their mental health and mood. According to experts, interpersonal relationships positively affect human health throughout life. Communication helps reduce inflammatory reactions in the body, reduces the risk of serious diseases, supports mental well-being, and reduces the likelihood of premature death. Loneliness and isolation, on the contrary, increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, memory problems, and early death. The absence of social connections also negatively affects mood, doubles the risk of depression, and can lead to anxiety and suicide. In addition, loneliness negatively affects education and career. Teenagers are 22% more likely to have low academic performance, and they are less likely to boast achievements. Adults living alone often find it harder to find and keep a job, and their income may decrease over time. "Many young people feel lonely even in the digital age. Technology is changing our lives, but it's important that it strengthens rather than weakens human communication. Our report emphasizes the need to consider the factor of social connections in all policy areas - from access to digital technologies to healthcare, education, and employment," said Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and advisor to the Chairman of the African Union. WHO representatives believe that concrete measures need to be taken to combat loneliness and social isolation. At the state level - changing laws and programs, at the community level - creating more places for communication, such as parks, libraries, and cafes. It is also important to provide psychological assistance to those who need it and to raise people's awareness about the importance of social connections.