In the world, 100 people die from loneliness every hour

ALARMING STATISTICS: ONE IN SIX EARTHLINGS SUFFERS FROM LONELINESS, CLAIMING MORE THAN 870 THOUSAND LIVES ANNUALLY

The World Health Organization has presented shocking data: about 100 people die every hour from causes related to loneliness, which amounts to more than 871 thousand deaths per year. According to a report by a special WHO commission, one in six inhabitants of the planet experiences this destructive condition.

The WHO defines loneliness as a painful experience caused by a discrepancy between desired and actual intensity of social connections, and social isolation as a lack of such connections. "Loneliness and social isolation are devastating for individuals, families and society, and if we do nothing, they will continue to impose billions in costs to society through increased healthcare, education and employment expenditures," emphasized WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Medical experts note that people of different ages face loneliness, but it's more common among young people and residents of low and middle-income countries. Between 17 and 21% of people aged 13 to 29 admit to feeling lonely, with it being most prevalent among teenagers. In low-income countries, approximately 24% of respondents consider themselves lonely, which is twice as many as in high-income countries (approximately 11%).

There is little data on the prevalence of social isolation, but it is believed to affect one-third of elderly people and a quarter of adolescents. According to the document, people with disabilities, refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, and ethnic minorities are susceptible to it. They may face discrimination and additional restrictions that make it difficult to establish social connections.

The causes of loneliness and isolation vary. They can be related to illness, low income, lack of good social infrastructure, living alone, deficiencies in public policy, and characteristics of the digital environment. The authors of the report emphasize that it is important to monitor how long young people use gadgets and how negative online communication affects their mental health and mood.

According to experts, interpersonal relationships positively affect human health throughout life. Communication helps reduce inflammatory responses in the body, decreases the risk of serious diseases, supports mental well-being, and reduces the likelihood of premature death. Loneliness and isolation, on the contrary, increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, memory problems, and early death. The absence of social connections also negatively affects mood, doubles the risk of depression, and can lead to anxiety and suicide.

Additionally, loneliness negatively impacts education and career. Teenagers are 22% more likely to have low academic performance and are less likely to boast achievements. Adults living alone often find it harder to find and keep a job, and their income may decrease over time.

"Many young people feel lonely even in the digital age. Technology is changing our lives, but it's important that it strengthens rather than weakens human communication. Our report emphasizes the need to consider the factor of social connections in all policy areas - from access to digital technologies to healthcare, education, and employment," said Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and advisor to the Chairperson of the African Union.

WHO representatives believe that concrete measures need to be taken to combat loneliness and social isolation. At the state level - changing laws and programs, at the community level - creating more places for communication, such