Nine million adults suffer from damaging loneliness that is as harmful to their health as smoking or obesity, a report said yesterday. It labelled loneliness a ‘social epidemic’ and called for a series of new Government initiatives to lessen the burden of isolation.
The report of the Jo Cox Commission, set up by the late MP before her murder in June last year, said that loneliness affects not only the elderly but people of all age groups, and has a ‘profoundly damaging’ impact on health. It said that isolation had a similar effect on health to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It found that most GPs see as many as five patients who have a difficulty with loneliness, and estimated the cost to employers of loneliness among staff at £2.5 billion a year.
People who are lonely face a risk of premature death a third higher than others, it found. The report was launched by two MPs, Labour’s Rachel Reeves and Tory Seema Kennedy, who said in a statement that the findings ‘challenge national government to step forward and lead a renewed push to tackle loneliness. We know that loneliness will not end until we all recognise the role we can play in making that happen.
Calling for a minister to deal with loneliness, for publicity campaigns to help people help others, and for a ‘family and relationships test’ on all Government policies to make sure they do not add to isolation, the report said: ‘There is currently a gap in national leadership on loneliness.’
Professor Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: ‘Social isolation can have a devastating impact not only on people’s mental well-being, but evidence shows that it can also increase the risk of premature death by around a third. NHS staff see first-hand the acute consequences of loneliness, which can affect so many people of all ages.
‘Our advice is for people to keep a friendly eye on relatives, friends and neighbours, as this simple act could prevent serious illness and even save lives,’ she added.
