Loneliness and wellness: The WHO Call to Action

One in six people worldwide feels lonely. The World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments and communities to recognize social connection as a public health priority. 

In recent years — especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic — there has been growing awareness that health is not only physical or mental, but also social. The latest WHO report, From Loneliness to Social Connection, identifies social connection as a fundamental pillar of human well-being. 

According to data collected between 2014 and 2023, one in six people globally reports feeling lonely. Loneliness is far from a marginal issue: between 2014 and 2019, it was associated with 871,000 deaths each year. Scientific evidence shows that social disconnection increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, hypertension, and diabetes, with a direct impact on mortality. 

Who Is Most at Risk 

While loneliness can affect anyone, some groups are more vulnerable: 

• Young people (ages 13–29): up to 21% report feeling lonely, with higher rates among adolescents. 


• People living in low-income countries: 24% report loneliness, compared to 11% in high-income countries. 


• Older adults: as many as one in three live in socially isolated conditions. 

Determinants of Loneliness 

The causes of loneliness are multifactorial. They include poor physical or mental health, low socioeconomic and educational status, and life transitions such as retirement, bereavement, job loss, or relocation. Individual characteristics (e.g. introversion, low openness to experience) and environmental factors (e.g. living in unsafe or socially deprived neighborhoods) also play a role. Finally, digital technology can either foster or hinder real-life connections, depending on how and in what context it is used. 

Health and Social Impacts 

People with strong social networks tend to live longer and enjoy better physical and mental health. In contrast, loneliness doubles the risk of depression and, among older adults, increases the likelihood of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.
The effects extend to education and work: adolescents who feel lonely are 22% more likely to perform poorly at school, while lonely adults face greater challenges in maintaining employment, with significant economic and social consequences.

WHO’s Five Areas for Action 

To address loneliness and social disconnection in a systematic way, the WHO proposes five key areas for intervention: 

1. Public policies: national strategies to promote social connection and reduce the stigma associated with loneliness. 


2. Research: strengthening global research capacity, setting scientific priorities, and fostering innovative initiatives to address key challenges. 


3. Effective interventions: developing and scaling up evidence-based, adaptable, and sustainable programs. 


4. Measurement and data: implementing standardized tools to monitor social connection and creating a Global Social Connection Index. 


5. Engagement: fostering a culture of connection through awareness campaigns and cross-sector collaboration among governments, communities, media, and civil society organizations.

Towards a More Connected and Healthier Society 

Enhancing social connection means improving public health. Promoting positive relationships and socially inclusive environments can help reduce mortality, support mental health, and strengthen community resilience. The challenge for the coming years will be to translate this growing body of evidence into concrete actions, embedded within health, education, and urban policies.

Source: World Health Organization, 2025