Geneva – Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khaled Ait Taleb, chaired in Geneva a high-level working session focusing on the profound effects of social isolation on public health.

During the session, organized on Monday by the U.S. Permanent Mission in Geneva in coordination with member states represented at the WHO Commission on Social Connection, the minister stressed the importance of promoting social cohesion and its vital role in supporting the health of individuals and communities.

“Social isolation poses a significant risk to mental and physical health, directly affecting people’s quality of life,” he stated, pointing to the growing challenges of social isolation worldwide.

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness are health risk factors similar to chronic diseases such as diabetes, air pollution, and smoking, he said. WHO recognizes the importance of social environments in promoting public health, as social ties are one of the main pillars along with physical and men
tal health.

Furthermore, Ait Taleb also announced that Morocco will host the second in-person meeting of the WHO Commission on Social Connection in September, adding that this event will be an important milestone in global efforts to combat social isolation and promote well-being.

The minister is leading Morocco’s delegation to the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77), which runs until June 1st under the theme “All for Health, Health for All.”

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse