By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja-
World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the alarm on the growing global health crisis of loneliness, revealing that at least 871,000 people die worldwide annually from loneliness.
According to the WHO commission, one in six people worldwide is affected by loneliness, which can lead to physical illness and increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Lonely teenagers are 22% more likely to achieve lower grades than their peers, while lonely adults face greater challenges in finding or keeping a job. The impact is not only individual but also societal, with billions in costs to healthcare systems and losses in employment.
“Loneliness is a painful, subjective feeling that many of us experience when the relationships that we need do not match the relationships that we have,” said Vivek Murthy, co-chair of the commission.
The WHO identified causes of loneliness, including illness, poor education, low income, lack of opportunities for social interaction, living alone, and excessive use of digital technologies.
To combat loneliness, the WHO highlighted Sweden’s national strategy, which includes fostering social connections in public spaces and banning mobile phones in schools.
“Having places and spaces in our life where we can interact face to face with other people without the distraction of technology is very important,” Murthy emphasized.
