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Charting a path to healthier societies

Report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection

From loneliness

to social connection

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Charting a path to healthier societies

Report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection

From loneliness

to social connection

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SOCIAL HEALTH: THE MISSING PILLAR

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO Constitution, 1948).

HEALTH

MENTAL

well-being

PHYSICAL

well-being

SOCIAL

well-being

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SOCIAL CONNECTION

Is how we relate to and interact with others.

STRUCTURE

LONELINESS

SOCIAL ISOLATION

FUNCTION

QUALITY

(numbers)

(support, e.g. information, emotional)

Hurts and happens when your relationships do not match what you want or need.

1

2

Is having very few relationships �or not seeing people often enough.

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LONELINESS IS

A GLOBAL PROBLEM

Loneliness affects

1 IN 6

people worldwide

YOUNG PEOPLE

Rates are highest among

and in

LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES

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SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS HAVE SERIOUS IMPACTS

Harm physical and mental health

Reduce life expectancy.

Loneliness causes

870 000

DEATHS A YEAR

Cost society billions in terms �of health care, education �and employment

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THE DRIVERS OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS:

Poor health

Marginalization

Low income / education

Living alone

Weak

community

infrastructure

Life

transitions

Unhealthy

use of digital technologies

SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS

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SOLUTIONS EXIST �TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CONNECTION:

POLICIES

COMMUNITY STRATEGIES

INDIVIDUAL AND RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIES

ADVOCACY, CAMPAIGNS, NETWORKS AND COALITIONS

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2

3

4

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ADVOCACY, CAMPAIGNS, �NETWORKS AND COALITIONS

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POLICIES

8 Member States with policies, strategies, action plans, �laws and advisories

Common recommendations:

Whole-of-society approach
Strengthening knowledge
Reducing stigma
Fostering cross-sectoral collaboration

National policies*

No national policies

Not applicable

*In the United Kingdom, only England, Scotland and Wales have policies.

Policies are important because they help integrate social connection into government systems and funding.

In recent years, 8 WHO Member States have adopted policies, strategies, actions plans, laws, or advisories addressing the issue.

These are: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Wales only, not Northern Ireland), and the United States of America.

Many of these have recommended:

“Whole of society approaches” where governments work together with all sectors , including, for instance, schools, healthcare systems, housing, transport, communities, and businesses;
Strengthening knowledge through the funding of more research; and
Public awareness campaigns, particularly to reduce the stigma associated with loneliness.

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SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMUNITY GROUPS

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

COMMUNITY STRATEGIES

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Psychological interventions
Psychoeducation

INDIVIDUAL AND RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIES

SKILLS TRAINING

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT FACILITATION

THERAPEUTIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

INTERVENTIONS

Social support
Non-human companionship

Social skills training
Internet and computer training

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THE WAY FORWARD ON SOCIAL CONNECTION

POLICY

National strategies, cross-sector leadership

RESEARCH

Fill gaps, fund properties, Grand Challenges

INTERVENTIONS

Develop and�scale effective solutions

MEASUREMENT

Better data, global Social Connection Index

ENGAGEMENT

Build public support, shift norms, global movement

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THE OPPORTUNITY AHEAD:

The costs of inaction are

HIGH

The benefits of connection are

FAR REACHING

The time to prioritise social connection is

NOW

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#PowerOfConnection #NotAlone