PRIORITY TWO: TACKLING LONELINESS LEAD PARTNER: NDVS & TTVS
Loneliness is fast becoming recognised as one of society’s greatest challenges, a growing problem which not only reduces quality of life for large numbers of residents, but which also contains significant implications for health and care services.
As well as being linked to early deaths on a par with obesity and smoking, loneliness can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, depression and cognitive decline.
People who can feel particularly lonely include those aged between 16 and 24, widowed, having poor health, unemployed or have caring responsibilities.