[Exclusive] WHO to Create Global Index to Address 'Isolation Issues' [Youth Isolation 24 Hours]

<6>How Is the World Addressing Isolation Issues?
③Interview with WHO Dr. Christopher Mickton
WHO Launched 'Social Connection Committee' in November Last Year
Plans to Create Global Social Connection Index

Editor's NoteWhen eating alone after work, having hundreds of contacts saved on your phone but no one to confide in when things are tough, or being unable to ask for help when sick or out of money... Young people in their 20s and 30s whom Asia Economy met confessed to feeling isolated in such moments. Could this be your story? If you have thought that words like 'hikikomori' or 'eundunhyeong oeltori' (reclusive social withdrawal) are stories from a different world, now is the time to properly reconsider isolation and social withdrawal.

The international organization that was busiest during the global COVID-19 crisis was undoubtedly the World Health Organization (WHO). In May last year, 3 years and 3 months after declaring the pandemic, WHO announced the end of the emergency. Then, just six months later in November of the same year, WHO created the 'Commission on Social Connection' to respond to another urgent health threat. This was because loneliness and social isolation had worsened to the point that the international community needed to step in beyond individual countries.

Through this commission, WHO has begun work on creating a Global Index on Social Connection that governments can use as a benchmark. They also plan to develop guidelines containing methods to prevent and address loneliness and social isolation.

World Health Organization (WHO) logo [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

The reason WHO stepped in was clear. Surveys conducted worldwide showed that one in four elderly people experience social isolation. Among adolescents, 5-15% reported feeling lonely. In the past, isolation and loneliness were perceived as issues only affecting elderly people in high-income countries, but WHO now diagnoses these as factors threatening the health of all age groups globally. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed concern, stating, "People lacking sufficient social connection face higher risks of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, and suicide."

The commission, consisting of about ten key policymakers from regions including the United States, Zimbabwe, Japan, Sweden, and Chile, will focus on measures to tackle loneliness and social isolation over three years. The commission is co-chaired by Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General who pointed out that "loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day," and Chido Mpemba, the African Union (AU) Youth Envoy. One of their goals is to create an index that allows comparison of social connection status by country. Asia Economy asked Dr. Christopher Mixton, Technical Lead of the WHO Commission on Social Connection, about what they aim to do to solve the isolation problem.

Christopher Mikton, Technical Officer in charge of the Social Connections Committee at the World Health Organization (WHO) (Photo by WHO)

- What is the reason WHO created the 'Commission on Social Connection'?

▲ In recent years, this issue has rapidly emerged as a public health and public policy agenda mainly in high-income countries such as the UK, Japan, the US, and Germany. Another reason is that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of social relationships. At the same time, a wealth of scientific evidence has emerged explaining how lack of social relationships impacts mortality and physical and mental health. Rapid technological changes, especially the impact of social media on social relationships, have become a global concern, but there has been no concrete, cooperative global response. Therefore, WHO decided to establish this commission to discuss and address the issue of social relationships.

- Please explain the term 'social connection' included in the commission's name. What does WHO mean by social connection?

▲ Broadly, it relates to feeling close to or connected with others. One can view how an individual is connected to society from three perspectives. The first is a structural perspective, referring to the social roles assigned to an individual or the scale of their social interactions. The second is a functional perspective, which means the practical, emotional, and informational support provided by social connection. Lastly, the quality of relationships is also considered.

- The commission held its first meeting last December. What discussions took place?

▲ The members agreed on the commission’s vision and purpose. The vision is to create a world where everyone has quality social connections that support their health and well-being. To achieve this, the commission aims to make social connection visible and prioritize it in policy. They also want to establish loneliness and social isolation as genuine global public health issues affecting all ages worldwide and support the expansion of cost-effective solutions.

They also agreed on priorities, including releasing the first report next year, generating political will and public awareness, forming coalitions, and mobilizing resources. Simultaneously, they will focus on expanding national and community activities that enhance social connection and take measures to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

- Is there a difference between 'social isolation' and 'loneliness'?

▲ Social isolation refers to being socially disconnected or having insufficient social connections. It is an objective state indicating a lack of quantity in social connections and can be relatively easily measured. However, there is ongoing discussion about what exactly constitutes 'insufficient.' Loneliness, like social isolation, is a form of social disconnection but includes a subjective state involving negative experiences often called 'social pain.' Loneliness arises from a discrepancy between the social connections one desires or needs and the actual social relationships one has, in terms of quantity or quality.

- There is currently no global index to measure or compare loneliness or social isolation.

▲ WHO plans to develop several norms within the next three years to help countries respond to social isolation and strengthen societies. They will create a 'Global Index on Social Connection' and guidelines containing methods to prevent and address loneliness and social isolation. Having a global index will allow comparable data on the scale of social isolation and loneliness affecting all ages worldwide, enabling incremental progress.

- Will the WHO Commission on Social Connection look into loneliness and social isolation among young people?

▲ The commission plans to address loneliness and social isolation across the lifespan, paying attention to both youth and elderly populations. Co-chair Chido Mpemba serves as the African Union Youth Envoy. WHO is currently collecting evidence related to youth and social connection, loneliness, and social isolation. The findings will be included in the commission’s report to be released in the first half of next year. This report will highlight all key issues related to youth.

- What efforts will WHO make to foster social connection?

▲ WHO plans to raise public awareness globally and elevate policy priorities on this issue. Since loneliness and social isolation are as serious as well-known health problems like smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, obesity, and air pollution in terms of mortality and disease rates, WHO aims to establish them as urgent global public health issues.

They also intend to identify cost-effective solutions and mobilize resources to expand these solutions across low-, middle-, and high-income countries. This includes broad social-level interventions such as laws and policies addressing discrimination and exclusion, community-level interventions improving infrastructure like public transportation and built environments, and individual or relational-level interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy that changes thoughts and feelings of those prone to loneliness.

'Check your risk level for loneliness and social isolation'

- Loneliness and Social Isolation Scale

https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/list/project/2024050314290051322A

If you want to read the 'Youth Isolation 24 Hours' articles

<1>Youth isolated and withdrawn whom Asia Economy met
① I am a 28-year-old isolated youth... "A person who cannot fulfill a single role"
② Isolation caused by unemployment... A day spent without saying a word
③ Harder than parenting is having no one to talk to... That’s how depression came
④ Eating instant rice and ramen for 3 years and playing games all day... Emotional instability worsens eventually

<2>2024 Isolation Awareness Survey
① 6 out of 10 say "I feel lonely"... Complaining of relationship breakdown and deprivation pain
② "Feeling alone at work"... 1 in 2 office workers say isolation worsened

<3>Youth isolated and withdrawn seen from the side
① 'COVID cohort' is at risk... This year’s surge in counseling calls
② Traces left at the end of isolation... "I want to see mom and dad, I’m sorry"

<4>Reasons for isolation and social costs
① No job, no friends... Only smartphone in hand
② Economic loss over 11 trillion won... Neglect could shake the nation

<5>Limitations of Korea’s three 'no' policies
① No control tower and 213 local ordinances 'all over the place'
② Solving 540,000 isolated and withdrawn youth with 32 people?... Lack of budget, manpower, and research
③ Bitter end of copying Japan... Youth calling for Korea-style policies

<6>How the world is solving isolation problems
① "Smartphones are ruining youth, why no countermeasures?"... A British economist’s sharp criticism
② Japan with many reclusive social withdrawals... Focused on office worker isolation
③ [Exclusive] WHO to create a global index to address 'isolation problem'


① Parents broken by guilt... "Grateful to be alive"