
Tue Jul 01 06:49:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the WHO report information:
**Global Loneliness Epidemic Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths Annually, WHO Warns**
**GENEVA** – A staggering 17% of the global population, approximately one in six people, are experiencing loneliness, according to a new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report paints a grim picture, linking this widespread feeling of isolation to a significant increase in mortality. The WHO estimates that loneliness contributed to over 871,000 deaths annually between 2014 and 2023, averaging out to a rate of 100 deaths per hour. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions to address the growing crisis of loneliness worldwide. The WHO urges governments and communities to recognize loneliness as a serious public health concern and implement strategies to promote social connection and reduce feelings of isolation.