The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set up a new commission to foster social connection, which according to a statement released on Wednesday is meant to address loneliness as a pressing health threat. The statement shows this commission, which has representatives selected from across continents is also targeted to promote social connection as a priority and accelerate the scaling up of solutions in countries of all incomes.
Co-chaired by U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, and African Union Youth Envoy, Chido Mpemba, the Commission consists of eleven members and will run for three years, analyzing the central role social connection plays in improving health for people of all ages and outline solutions to build social connections at scale.
Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, the statement shows they impact the health and well-being of all age groups across the world with figures showing that generally one in four older people experience social isolation. The organization says these rates are broadly similar in all regions and among adolescents, between 5–15% experience loneliness.
“High rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and wellbeing. People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide, and more,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This WHO Commission will help establish social connection as a global health priority and share the most promising interventions.”
Lack of social connection carries an equivalent, or even greater, risk of early death as other better-known risk factors – such as smoking, excessive drinking, physical inactivity, obesity, and air pollution. Social isolation also has a serious impact on physical and mental health; studies show that it has been linked to anxiety and depression and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30%. The rates of loneliness are said to have been exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic that promoted physical distancing and lockdowns as a prevention measure.
Commenting about the new commission, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy, said this initiative is timely. “Given the profound health and societal consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an obligation to make the same investments in rebuilding the social fabric of society that we have made in addressing other global health concerns, such as tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis.“
Social disconnection also can lead to poorer education outcomes; young people experiencing loneliness in high school are more likely to drop out of university. It can also lead to poorer economic outcomes; feeling disconnected and unsupported in your job can lead to poorer job satisfaction and performance.
“Young people are not immune to loneliness. Social isolation can affect anyone, of any age, anywhere,” said Chido Mpemba, African Union Youth Envoy. “Across Africa and beyond, we must redefine the narrative around loneliness. Investments in social connection are critical to creating productive, resilient, and stable economies that promote the well-being of current and future generations.”
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