In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned about an escalating public health crisis: loneliness. He emphasized that the pervasive sense of isolation many people experience today is as detrimental to health as smoking or obesity. Despite the prevalence of social media, smartphones, and instant communication, millions of people across the globe report feeling profoundly lonely. This sense of isolation isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a growing public health crisis with severe implications for mental and physical well-being.
Loneliness is often described as the subjective feeling of being alone or disconnected, even when surrounded by people. It differs from solitude, which is the intentional choice to be alone. According to a 2020 report from Cigna, over 60% of Americans reported feeling lonely, a sharp increase from previous years. Similarly, a study published in the journal International Psychogeriatrics found that nearly one in three adults worldwide experiences significant loneliness.
Factors contributing to this epidemic include changing social norms, increased use of digital communication, urbanization, and longer lifespans, often resulting in older adults living alone. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, with lockdowns and social distancing measures isolating individuals for extended periods.
