The world-renowned physician Dean Ornish, M.D., wrote, “I am not aware of any other factor in medicine that has a greater impact on our survival than the healing power of love and intimacy. Not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugs, not surgery.”
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (Social
isolation and loneliness in older adults, published in National Academies Press. 2020),
there is a short path from social distancing to social isolation.
The evidence is startling. Feeling lonely can pose a bigger risk for premature death than
smoking or obesity, according to research by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of
Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University in Utah, USA.
Holt-Lunstad drew on data from two meta-analyses. The first found greater social
connection conferred a 50 per cent reduced risk of early death. The second examined 70
studies and concluded that social isolation, loneliness or living alone posed risks for
premature death that were as big as or bigger than obesity, smoking (less than 15
cigarettes a day) and air pollution.
In the English Longitudinal Study of Aging loneliness and social isolation (published in
Health Psychol. 2011; 30:377-385.3) were associated with increased risk of being inactive,
smoking and multiple risk behaviors leading to greater incidence of cardiovascular
diseases.
And an article published in Lancet (A unified approach to loneliness. Lancet. 395; 114]
reported that in developed countries loneliness affects about a third of people and leads to
26% increased risk of premature mortality .
As Africans we need to have open eyes to be able to see that the path from social distancing to social isolation is short.
While we are implementing all the necessary measures to combat the transmission of Sars Cov – 2, I personally find it very appropriate to talk about the possible consequences of social isolation.
Is loneliness becoming an emerging epidemic? Is it a public health concern in developed countries? I think so.
For sure we’ll have lessons to learn from the pandemic. But as a continent we’ll move forward with integrity respecting and keeping up with our personal and social norms. And the preparation for the aftermath begins now.
As Dr. Ornish puts it, Love and Intimacy has a great impact on our survival. Thus, while we
try to control covid – 19, we need to be aware that there is a short path from social
distancing to social isolation.