ISLAMABAD: Study finds social connection boost health and reduce early mortality risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection has released a global report revealing that one in six people worldwide experiences loneliness, posing a significant threat to both physical and mental health. According to the report, loneliness is associated with an estimated 100 deaths every hour, amounting to more than 871,000 deaths annually.
The WHO emphasized that strong social connections play a vital role in improving overall well-being, promoting better health, and contributing to a longer life expectancy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social connection as the ways in which people relate to and interact with one another. Loneliness is described as the distressing feeling that arises from a gap between desired and actual social relationships, while social isolation refers to the objective absence or insufficiency of meaningful social connections.
Impacts on Health, Quality of Life, and Economies
Social connection supports health and well-being throughout all stages of life. It can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of serious illnesses, enhance mental health, and help prevent premature death. Strong social bonds also reinforce the social fabric, contributing to healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.
The costs of social isolation and loneliness are substantial, while the benefits of social connection extend across all aspects of life.
