The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared loneliness a global health concern and has launched a new commission to tackle the problem.
Loneliness carries an equivalent - or even greater - risk of early death as smoking, excessive drinking, physical inactivity, obesity, and air pollution, WHO said.
The Commission on Social Connection will run for three years and be led by US surgeon general, Dr Vivek Murthy, who has said the impact of loneliness on our mortality is similar to the effects of smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
"Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling...it is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death," he wrote in a report titled Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation earlier this year.
"The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity."
He said loneliness has been exacerbated globally following the Covid-19 pandemic, when many were cut off from loved ones and support systems.
The African Union youth envoy, Chido Mpemba, will also co-chair the commission, which aims to find solutions to the "pressing health threat".
The Commission is made up of 11 leading policymakers, thought leaders and advocates.
WHO said: "Contrary to the belief that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, they impact the health and wellbeing of all age groups across the world.
"One in four older people experience social isolation and the rates are broadly similar in all regions.
"Among adolescents, between 5–15 per cent experience loneliness, according to research findings. However, these figures are likely to be underestimations."
Loneliness has a serious impact on physical and mental health, with studies showing that it has been linked to anxiety and depression and can increase risk of cardiovascular disease by 30 per cent, the organisation said.
"Given the profound health and societal consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an obligation to make the same investments in rebuilding the social fabric of society that we have made in addressing other global health concerns, such as tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis," Dr Murty said on the launch of the commission.
Young people experiencing loneliness in high school are more likely to drop out of university, and feeling disconnected and unsupported in your job can lead to poorer job satisfaction and performance, according to WHO.
"Young people are not immune to loneliness. Social isolation can affect anyone, of any age, anywhere," said Chido Mpemba, African Union Youth Envoy.
"Across Africa and beyond, we must redefine the narrative around loneliness. Investments in social connection are critical to creating productive, resilient and stable economies that promote the well-being of current and future generations.”
The Commission on Social Connection will hold its first leadership-level meeting between December 6-8. A report is expected to be released halfway through the three-year initiative.
