The decision to categorise it as a public health threat is grounded in extensive research. Studies consistently show that loneliness is a condition with severe health implications.
In his letter, Dr Murthy recounted the stories of Americans feeling “isolated, invisible, and insignificant”, a realisation that led him to view loneliness as a significant public health issue.
In India, Dr Sunny Joseph says, “Intervention at multiple levels are required, from schools and colleges to workplaces to other institutions in our communities.”