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National policy responses to address loneliness: A global scoping review of 194 WHO member states

Author

Listed:
  • Goldman, Nina
  • Alemdar, Melek
  • Megges, Herlind
  • Matsumoto, Naka
  • Schoenmakers, Eric
  • van den Berg, Pauline
  • Lasgaard, Mathias
  • Christiansen, Julie
  • Junttila, Niina
  • Goldman, Andreas
  • Draxl, Debora
  • El-Osta, Austen
  • Qualter, Pamela

Abstract

Loneliness is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. It affects individuals across all age groups and geographical regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Goldman, Nina & Alemdar, Melek & Megges, Herlind & Matsumoto, Naka & Schoenmakers, Eric & van den Berg, Pauline & Lasgaard, Mathias & Christiansen, Julie & Junttila, Niina & Goldman, Andreas & Draxl, , 2026. "National policy responses to address loneliness: A global scoping review of 194 WHO member states," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:165:y:2026:i:c:s0168851025003070
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Akhter-Khan, Samia C. & van Es, Willemijn & Prina, Matthew & Lawrence, Vanessa & Piri, Ilayda & Rokach, Ami & Heu, Luzia C. & Mayston, Rosie, 2024. "Experiences of loneliness in lower- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative studies," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    2. Honghui Pan & Pamela Qualter & Manuela Barreto & Hannelore Stegen & Sarah Dury, 2023. "Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. McDaid, David & Park, A-La, 2021. "Modelling the economic impact of reducing loneliness in community dwelling older people in England," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 108594, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. David McDaid & A-La Park, 2021. "Modelling the Economic Impact of Reducing Loneliness in Community Dwelling Older People in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Abhijit Banerjee & Esther Duflo & Erin Grela & Madeline McKelway & Frank Schilbach & Garima Sharma & Girija Vaidyanathan, 2023. "Depression and Loneliness among the Elderly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 37(2), pages 179-202, Spring.
    6. Jessica Mahoney & Lara Fleischer & Gaia Bottura & Katherine Scrivens, 2024. "Measuring social connectedness in OECD countries: A scoping review," OECD Papers on Well-being and Inequalities 28, OECD Publishing.
    7. Allan McConnell & Paul ’t Hart, 2019. "Inaction and public policy: understanding why policymakers ‘do nothing’," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 52(4), pages 645-661, December.
    8. d'Hombres, Beatrice & Barjaková, Martina & Schnepf, Sylke V., 2021. "Loneliness and Social Isolation: An Unequally Shared Burden in Europe," IZA Discussion Papers 14245, IZA Network @ LISER.
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