Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

 Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

Pressing global health threat

Mortality impact of being socially disconnected is like smoking upto 15 cigarettes a day and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.

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. 

Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people, it affects the health and well being of all age groups across the world. 

Social isolation and the social pain of not feeling connected add fuel to the epidemic through insufficient number of social connections and the feeling of loneliness that fill the mind.

Based on a report by WHO in Times of India of 20th November 2023