LETTER: Loneliness issues must be addressed

Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is worse for our health than obesity. It affects nearly 3 million older people across England.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Jun 2013, 09:00 BST

Because of this, the prevention of loneliness should be a priority for those making decisions about our health and wellbeing locally.

We recently looked at the priorities of every health and wellbeing board (new forums for senior local health and care officials) in England, and have found that the board in this area has not acknowledged loneliness as an issue that needs to be addressed.

We urge the health and wellbeing board to rethink this. We also call on anyone concerned about this issue to get involved in Loneliness Harms Health, so they can convince the board in this area that loneliness matters to them

To learn more about this issue, visit our website: www.campaigntoendloneliness.org.uk/

Marianne Symons

Campaigns Officer, Campaign to End Loneliness

England