WHO Declares Loneliness a ‘Pressing Health Threat’ and Launches International Commission to Combat It

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared loneliness a global problem and launched an international commission to combat it.

Earlier this week, the WHO launched the Commission on Social Connectivity, which, according to a press release, aims to “address loneliness as an urgent threat to health, promote social connectivity as a priority and accelerate the spread of solutions in countries of all incomes.”

The group is led by US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and African Union Youth Envoy Chido Mpemba, and also includes “11 leading policymakers, opinion leaders and advocates,” according to the statement.

The new commission will work for the next three years to study how loneliness and social isolation can affect physical, mental and emotional health, with Murthy, 46, suggesting the effects could be as bad as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, or even more. which are seen in relation to obesity and failure to maintain physical health.

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The WHO declares loneliness a “global public health problem” and launches an international commission to combat it.

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“I am delighted to be working closely with an outstanding group of trustees to advance social connectivity – a vital component of well-being. Together we can build a world that is less lonely, healthier and more resilient,” Murthy said in a statement.

He added: “Given the profound health and social consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an obligation to make the same investments in rebuilding the social fabric of society as we have in addressing other global health issues, such as tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis.” ”

In her own statement, Mpemba, 35, said: “Young people are not immune to loneliness. Social isolation can affect anyone, at any age, anywhere.”

“Across Africa and beyond, we need to redefine the narrative of loneliness,” she continued. “Investing in social connections is critical to creating productive, resilient and stable economies that promote the well-being of current and future generations.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education