Report: Teenage girls the loneliest in the world

One in six people worldwide is lonely and hundreds of thousands die each year as a result, according to a new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Concerns about an epidemic of loneliness have taken hold in pop culture and politics in recent years - and the WHO Commission on Social Connections aimed to determine exactly who is at risk and what this means for their well-being.

The report found that young people are most affected by loneliness, with about 20.9 percent of teenagers and 17.4 percent of adults under 30 saying they feel lonely. This compares to 11.8 percent of those aged 60 and over.

Overall, men and women feel about the same - but teenage girls are the loneliest group, with 24.3 percent saying they are lonely.

 “There are many factors that are driving loneliness and isolation,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. surgeon general and co-chair of the commission, during a press conference.

He cited “poor physical and mental health, which unfortunately can further isolate individuals,” as well as “social marginalization” and “increasingly harmful or excessive use of digital media, particularly among young people,” as key problems.

Not everyone who spends time alone is lonely. The WHO says someone is socially isolated if they don't have enough social connections, while defining loneliness as the "painful feeling" that arises when people don't have the kind of relationships they desire.

Data on social isolation is more limited, but the commission believes it affects up to one in three older adults and one in four young people.

Both loneliness and social isolation can have serious health consequences. They are linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths a year, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline and poor mental health, the report found.

But having strong social ties can improve people's health and even help them live longer, the commission said.

Taking measures to combat loneliness

WHO experts called on national governments to make loneliness a policy priority, and for more research into strategies that can help strengthen social connections.

"For too long, we have not recognized the importance of public health," Murthy said. "That has to change."

Some countries are already taking steps in this direction. Sweden, for example, launched a 30 million euro plan this year to combat loneliness, for example by offering help to elderly people who may be isolated, said Jakob Forssmed, the Swedish minister for social affairs and public health.

In the coming months, Sweden will start giving young people aged 16 to 18 "activity cards" with money that can be spent on civil society groups, sports, outdoor activities and cultural events - but only for activities that involve other people, Forssmed said during the briefing.

The goal is to better equip young people with social skills and strengthen connections between people of all ages.

"This is not a problem for those who are lonely, those who are isolated," Forssmed said. "This is a problem for the whole of society."/ Euronews.