26
Jan

As demographic shifts shape the landscapes of societies worldwide, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) has identified social isolation and loneliness among older adults as critical public health challenges since 2021.  In the South-East Asia Region, approximately 1 in 5 older adults reports experiencing loneliness.  It poses significant risks not only to individuals but also to the fabric of ageing societies.  Despite the urgency of this issue, there exists a notable gap in robust research on effective interventions and strategies tailored to address loneliness among silver generations. 

To mitigate the adverse effects of loneliness, the Side Meeting will consolidate insights from experts across the Asia-Pacific region and facilitate the exploration of culturally sensitive, cost-effective solutions.  By fostering the dialogue and sharing best practices, this meeting aims to inspire collaborative efforts that can lead to meaningful change in addressing loneliness among older adults.