Loneliness as dangerous as smoking, says US surgeon general

A top US health official has warned the country is facing an epidemic of loneliness that is as dangerous to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has released an advisory calling for social isolation to be treated as seriously as obesity or drug abuse.

It warns that almost half of all Americans from all walks of life are thought to have been affected.

Mr Murthy has also unveiled a national framework to rebuild social connection.

Loneliness is reported to increase the risk of premature death by almost 30% - through health conditions including diabetes, heart attacks, insomnia and dementia.

Lack of social connection is also linked to lower academic achievement and worse performance at work, according to the advisory.