The World Health Organization has introduced a fresh initiative, the Social Connection Commission, aimed at combating the growing health threat of loneliness.
This commission seeks to prioritize social connection as a fundamental element while expediting the implementation of effective solutions across nations, regardless of their income levels.
In a press release issued on Thursday, WHO disclosed the formation of this commission, co-led by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and African Union Youth Envoy Chido Mpemba.
Comprising 11 prominent policymakers, thought leaders, and advocates, the commission intends to operate for three years.
Its primary objective involves scrutinizing the pivotal role of social connection in enhancing health across all age groups. Furthermore, the commission aims to outline scalable solutions to promote social connections on a widespread level.
Beyond health benefits, the commission plans to explore how fostering connections can contribute to community well-being, societal advancement, economic growth, and innovation.
WHO emphasized the prevalence of social isolation—a lack of adequate social connections—and loneliness, which it referred to as the emotional distress resulting from feeling disconnected from others.
“One in four older people experience social isolation and the rates are broadly similar in all regions. Among adolescents, between 5–15 percent experience loneliness, according to research findings. However, these figures are likely to be underestimations,” the global health body said.
The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that 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. This WHO Commission will help establish social connection as a global health priority and share the most promising interventions,” Dr Ghebreyesus said.
The organisation said 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 percent, it explained.
“I am thrilled to work closely with an outstanding group of Commissioners on advancing social connection – a vital component of well-being. Together, we can build a world that is less lonely, healthier, and more resilient,” said Dr Vivek Murthy.
“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.“
