WHO Report: Loneliness Now a Global Public Health Threat
A groundbreaking report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has exposed the deadly impact of loneliness and social isolation, which are now responsible for more than 871,000 deaths every year worldwide — nearly 100 lives lost every hour.
The report equates the health dangers of loneliness to other major public threats such as air pollution, smoking, and obesity. The risks aren’t just emotional — they’re physiological. Loneliness can:
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Increase the risk of stroke by 32%
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Raise the likelihood of heart disease by 29%
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Boost the chances of developing dementia by 50%
It’s also closely tied to conditions like depression, anxiety, diabetes, suicidal behavior, and cognitive decline.
Adolescents and Low-Income Countries Face the Hardest Hit
Globally, 1 in 6 people report feeling lonely, with adolescents aged 13 to 17 being the most affected group. Approximately 21% to 24% of teenagers in this age bracket experience chronic loneliness.
The burden of loneliness is significantly heavier in low-income countries, where 24% of people report feeling isolated — more than double the rate in high-income nations, where the figure stands at 11%.
Wider Impact: Economic Losses and Academic Struggles
Loneliness is not just a health concern — it comes with steep economic and social consequences:
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Lonely teens are 22% more likely to experience challenges in school performance.
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In the United States, businesses lose a staggering $154 billion annually due to lower productivity and absenteeism caused by social disconnection.
World Health Assembly Declares Social Connection a Global Priority
In May 2025, the World Health Assembly made history by officially recognizing social connection as a global public health priority. However, progress has been limited. To date, only eight countries — Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States — have adopted comprehensive national strategies to address loneliness.
WHO’s Call to Action: Make Social Health a Core Pillar
The WHO urges governments and policymakers worldwide to elevate social health as the third foundational pillar, alongside physical and mental health. To tackle this crisis, the organization recommends:
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Raising public awareness
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Collecting and analyzing data on social isolation
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Offering targeted interventions, especially for high-risk groups
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Reducing stigma associated with loneliness
Special attention should be given to migrants, LGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, refugees, and ethnic minorities, who are more likely to experience social isolation and its consequences.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the World
This new WHO report is a sobering reminder that loneliness is not just a personal problem — it’s a global health emergency. With nearly a million lives lost annually to isolation-related issues, the call for bold, coordinated action has never been more urgent
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/Loneliness-linked-to-over-871-000-deaths-annually-1991037
