Loneliness is already an epidemic and kills as much as tobacco

After Covid-19, there is a new deadly pandemic frightening the world, loneliness. According to surgeon Vivek Murthy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), being alone can be as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily.

“We now know that loneliness affects many people. It's like hunger or thirst. It is a feeling that the body sends us when something we need to survive is missing,” he told the Associated Press.

The epidemic of loneliness mainly affects the age group between 15 and 24 years. This age group recorded a 70% drop in time spent with friends, and this has serious health consequences.

Being alone and feeling alone increases the risk of premature death by 30%. In addition, it increases the risk of suffering a stroke or heart disease.