Global loneliness crisis: 100 deaths every hour, says WHO
New Delhi: In a concerning development, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that loneliness contributes to nearly 100 deaths every hour—amounting to more than 871,000 deaths annually.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Commission on Social Connection in its global report, as cited by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, underscores loneliness as a critical global public health concern. It noted that strong social connections can lead to better health and longer life.
According to the report, one in six people globally is affected by loneliness. The finding reveals that loneliness cuts across age groups but is especially prevalent among young people and those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In low-income countries, 24% people experience loneliness—more than double the rate in high-income nations (about 11%).
“In this age when the possibilities to connect are endless, more and more people are finding themselves lonely,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Apart from the toll it takes on individuals, families and communities, left unaddressed, loneliness and social isolation will continue to cost society billions in terms of health care, education, and employment,” he added.
Older adults are also at risk, with social isolation estimated to affect up to one in three seniors globally. Vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, refugees, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, indigenous populations, and ethnic minorities may face discrimination or additional barriers that make social connection harder, as per the report.
Dr Vivek Murthy, Co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and former U.S. Surgeon General, highlighted that the report exposes loneliness and isolation as one of the most significant challenges of our time. “Our Commission lays out a road map for how we can build more connected lives and underscores the profound impact this can have on health, educational, and economic outcomes,” he said.
The report identified multiple causes of loneliness and social isolation, including poor health, low income, limited education, living alone, and inadequate community infrastructure.
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US VP JD Vance says Lebanon not part of ceasefire, calls it ‘misunderstanding’
Budapest/Washington: US Vice President J D Vance has said that Lebanon was never included in the ceasefire understanding with Iran, describing the confusion as a “legitimate misunderstanding”.
Speaking to reporters before departing from Hungary, Vance said, “I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon and it just didn’t. We never made that promise.”
He stressed that the United States had not included Lebanon in the scope of the ceasefire at any stage.
His remarks come amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, where more than 200 people were reported killed, even as ceasefire talks between Iran and the US move forward.
Vance said Israel had “offered … to check themselves a little bit in Lebanon because they want to make sure that our negotiation is successful”.
He warned that if Iran allows the situation in Lebanon to affect the negotiations, it could derail the talks.
“If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart in a conflict where they were getting hammered over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire, that’s ultimately their choice,” he said.
