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Loneliness kills: WHO warns it causes 100 deaths per hour

The WHO warns that loneliness is linked to approximately 100 deaths per hour and more than 871,000 per year, affecting 1 in 6 people.

La soledad mata: la OMS alerta que causa 100 muertes por hora
Redacción Mas Latino
ByMas Latino Editorial
  • PublishedJuly 3, 2025

Photo of Alex Boyd in Unsplash

The WHO Commission on Social Connection published on June 30, 2025 the report entitled “From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies” or “From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies,” which reveals that loneliness is currently linked to 100 deaths every hour—more than 871,000 deaths per year.

According to the organization, 1 in 6 people (16 %) worldwide, or around 1.2 billion, experienced feelings of loneliness between 2014 and 2023. The highest rates are observed among adolescents (21 %) and young adults (17 %). In low- and middle-income countries, rates are around 24 %, while in high-income countries, they are around 11 %.

Why does it worry so much?

The WHO noted that loneliness has a significant impact on health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, dementia, and reducing life expectancy.

Furthermore, in countries such as Spain this is equivalent to a high economic cost, as it can reach €14 billion, in the United Kingdom £2.5 billion and in the USA US$6.7 billion for the public system.

The WHO 10-year roadmap

The report recommends a global strategy in five key areas:

  1. Public policies: develop national laws and plans that foster social connection.
  2. Community infrastructure: Strengthen parks, libraries, cultural centers, public transportation, and meeting spaces.
  3. Effective interventions: cognitive-behavioral therapy, group activities, support networks; special attention to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, migrants, LGBTIQ+ people, caregivers, and people with disabilities.
  4. Measurement and data: develop the Global Social Connection Index to monitor progress.
  5. Research and public engagement: global campaigns (“Knot Alone”), results monitoring and research promotion.

The Commission is co-chaired by Dr. Vivek Murthy and Chido Mpemba, and its launch is a major step toward recognizing loneliness as a global threat comparable to other public health crises.

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