Evidence base
World Health Organization, Commission on Social Connection
From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies
What it found
The WHO Commission on Social Connection reports that loneliness affects 1 in 6 people globally and is associated with an estimated 871,000 deaths annually. Prevalence is highest among young people and in low-income countries. The Commission calls on Member States to treat social connection as a public health priority.
Why it matters for practice
This is the reference point for framing loneliness as a population-level health issue rather than an individual wellbeing concern, useful for funders and policymakers building a mandate for action. It establishes scale and urgency but does not itself specify which interventions work; treat it as the case for action, not a delivery guide.