A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that over 871,000 people die every year from loneliness and social isolation. The report by the WHO commission published recently said the death toll places social health in a tier “as damaging as other public health risks” such as air pollution, tobacco and alcohol. It further says that one in six people in the world are affected by social disconnection and loneliness. According to researchers, this leads to about 100 deaths per hour.

The commission observed that ‘the impact of loneliness is profound. It is often overlooked, despite being just as damaging as other known public health risks.’ Co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and former Surgeon General of the United States of America, Dr. Vivek Murthy, said ‘in this report, we pull back the curtain on loneliness and isolation as a defining challenge of our time. Our commission lays out a road map for how we can build more connected lives and underscores the profound impact this can have on health, educational, and economic outcomes.’

Details of the study findings show that loneliness and social isolation carry health risks similar to obesity and physical inactivity, thereby increasing the risk of stroke by 32 per cent, heart disease by 29 per cent, and dementia by 50 per cent. They also state that the conditions contribute to diabetes, cognitive decline and mental health problems, which include depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide.

The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lamented that ‘in this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves isolated and lonely.’ The WHO boss stated that apart from the toll it takes on individuals and families, left unaddressed, loneliness and  social isolation will continue to cost society billions in terms of health care, education and employment.’

Loneliness and social isolation lead to significant costs for healthcare systems and result in lost productivity and employment. In fact, lonely teenagers are more likely to achieve lower grades than their peers and face greater challenges in finding and keeping jobs. Living alone, chronic illness, lack of social engagement, poor mental health and impaired cognitive function can contribute to loneliness. In the same vein, adolescence and old age are often periods of heightened vulnerability to loneliness due to transitions and potential losses.

As defined by experts, loneliness is ‘a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want.’ There are three types of loneliness. They include ‘emotional loneliness-the absence of meaningful relationships; social loneliness- a perceived deficit in the quality of social connections, and existential loneliness- a feeling of fundamental separateness from others and the wider world.’

Medical experts say that loneliness can affect everyone. Although they opine that experiences of loneliness can vary, but its effect can be profound and wide-ranging. Loneliness is also considered by many as one of the largest public health challenges in the world. Available statistics on loneliness showed that in 2022, 49.63 per cent of adults or 25.99 million people in the United Kingdom (UK) reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always.

Researchers have established that loneliness affects people of all ages, especially youth and people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Between 17-21 per cent of individuals aged 13-29-year-olds  reported feeling lonely, with the highest rates among teenagers. Not less than 24 per cent of people in low-income countries reported feeling lonely—twice the rate in high-income countries (about 11 per cent).

In Africa, loneliness is prevalent, especially among adolescents and young adults. It is reported that young people in Africa are particularly vulnerable due to factors like social media use, the gig economy, and the pressure to achieve success. At the same time, older adults in Africa also experience loneliness due to factors like living alone, chronic illness, lack of social support and cognitive impairment. In Nigeria too, factors such as, old age, poverty, migration and changing social structures contribute to loneliness, especially among older adults and those in urban areas.

Since we are not exempted from the effects of loneliness and isolation, the federal and state governments should jointly raise awareness on this major global health concern, which has significant impact on both physical and mental well-being of Nigerians. The nation’s health authorities should carry out nation-wide campaign on loneliness and isolation and highlight the importance of social health which is an essential pillar of our health and well-being.

Let the government increase its social support networks to accommodate more vulnerable people in the country. Coming up with interventions that promote social interaction is vital to overcoming loneliness and isolation. Besides, the government should tailor interventions to address specific needs of different age groups and populations in addressing the rising health challenge. The local governments should partner with state governments to map out pragmatic interventions to address loneliness and isolation in their domains.

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