The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged loneliness as a critical global health threat, attributing it to at least 871,000 deaths each year.
In a report released Monday, the WHO Commission on Social Connection revealed that one in six people worldwide suffers from loneliness, with one in three older adults and one in four adolescents experiencing social isolation.
Co-chair Dr. Vivek Murthy explained that loneliness—“a painful, subjective feeling”—is distinct from social isolation, an objective lack of interaction.
Both conditions are linked to increased risks of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, depression, and even suicide.
The report warned that excessive screen time and reduced face-to-face interaction are worsening the crisis, despite the benefits of digital tools like video calls.
Sweden was highlighted as a model nation, with national strategies addressing loneliness as a societal issue.
Measures include investing in community infrastructure and providing prepaid activity cards to children and teens to promote group bonding.
The WHO urged countries to create environments that foster human connection, warning that without global action, loneliness could become the next major public health emergency.