Do we need to relearn the art of hanging out? Loneliness is being described as the “modern leprosy”, a debilitating personal and social problem. But what is so hard to solve about being alone?
‘Quiet crisis’ of loneliness is getting worse
Young and alone? A recent poll showed that 38% of people aged 16-29 experience persistent loneliness. Glossary
Ubiquitous - Everywhere.
Chronically - Something negative that lasts for a long time (such as an illness).
Premature - Too soon.
Obesity - The medical condition of being very overweight. There are many ways of measuring this, including a BMI of 30 or more. (You can work out your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared.)
Neuroscientists - A scientist who studies the brain and the nervous system.
Primates - The order of mammals that includes humans, alongside apes like chimpanzees and gorillas.
Ancestors - The people related to us who lived a long time ago.
Urbanisation - The increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. It is predicted that by 2050 three billion people will live in cities.