The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that loneliness is becoming a serious health problem. A new report says loneliness leads to more than 871,000 deaths every year, which means over 100 people die every hour due to health issues linked to being lonely.
WHO says loneliness is when people don’t have the social connections they want. Even though many people use social media, more and more still feel alone. WHO chief Dr. Tedros said this growing problem must be taken seriously.
The report says one out of every six people in the world feels lonely. Young people and those living in poorer countries are more affected. Even with technology, many young people still feel they don’t have real connections.
Chido Mpemba, a member of the WHO commission, said technology should bring people closer, not make them feel more alone.
Loneliness doesn’t just make people sad. It can cause serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, memory loss, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The report also says people living alone are almost twice as likely to have depression.
To deal with this, WHO has suggested a plan. It includes better rules, more research, helpful programs, and changing how people think about loneliness. WHO is asking all countries to add social connection to their health plans and support communities that help people feel they belong.
