WHO has declared loneliness a global threat: equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness an urgent global health threat. Its effect is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
This was reported by the WHO, writes The Guardian.
WHO created an international commission on the problem of loneliness. It was chaired by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and African Union Youth Diplomat Chido Mpemba. The commission also included 11 human rights defenders and government officials.
The problem of loneliness has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It stopped people’s economic and social activity. Because of this, the level of loneliness has increased.
| Loneliness is a global threat to human health – WHO. Photo: Photocreo/Depositphotos |
“Loneliness knows no borders and is becoming a global public health problem affecting all aspects of health, well-being and development. Social isolation knows no age or borders.” – remarked Chido Mpemba.
According to Murthy, the risks to a person’s health from loneliness are equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The damage from it is even greater than from obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
The US Surgeon General also noted that one in four elderly people in the world experience social isolation. This causes a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 30% increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke.
According to research, 5% to 15% of teenagers are lonely. According to other data, 12.7% of them are in Africa, and 5.3% in Europe.
Young people who feel lonely at school are more likely to drop out of university. Feeling disconnected and unsupported at work can lead to reduced productivity.
The commission on loneliness created by WHO will work for three years.
We will remind you that a WHO study showed that not all ultra-processed foods are harmful to health.
Read also: Congolese women who reported sexual violence by WHO workers were paid $250 each
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