The structure of contemporary society, with its emphasis on car-centric urban planning, preference for single-family homes, and a self-sufficient culture, appears to be designed in a way that encourages loneliness.
The impact of COVID-19 further exacerbated this problem, as millions of people faced real trauma from the social isolation imposed during lockdowns. Despite these obvious challenges, there remains a prevailing tendency in our culture to perceive “loneliness” as an individual problem rather than recognizing it as a broader public health problem.
However, now one expert points out that the harmful effects of loneliness could be as bad as those of daily smoking.
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- Who is the expert?
- What is the study about?
- Why is loneliness the same as smoking?
Who is the expert?
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy came forward to share his expertise on the topic, based on a recent study by the National Institute on Aging.
What is the study about?
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Murthy has highlighted that loneliness poses a significant health risk to human beings, equating it with the health risks associated with cigarette smoking.
Research supports this comparison and highlights the serious impact that loneliness can have on physical and mental well-being. Recognizing loneliness as a major health problem emphasizes the need for collective efforts to address it at a societal level.
Murthy referred to recent research and said AP, “We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It is a sensation that the body sends us when we are missing something that we need to survive.”
Why is loneliness the same as smoking?
unpack
Findings from a recent study by the National Institute on Aging emphasize the serious health risks associated with prolonged isolation. The study suggests that the negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
These factors are believed to contribute to a significant reduction in a person’s life expectancy, up to 15 years, and increase the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as inadequate exercise, poor diet, sleep disorders, and an increased risk of requiring visits to the doctor. the emergency room. or nursing home care.
Addressing social isolation is crucial not only for individual well-being but also for public health on a broader scale.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn