Editor’s notes: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released the member list for its new term of the Technical Advisory Group on Social Connection (TAG-SC). Among the 20 members representing 16 WHO Member States across all WHO regions, Dr. Yu Bin from our university’s Institute of Applied Psychology, Medical College is the only member selected from Chinese mainland. We were very honored to have a brief interview with Dr. Yu and learned about his decade-long commitments to promoting social connections worldwide and how he felt about becoming a member of the TAG-SC group.

Q: Congratulations for passing WHO’s selection process and became a member of the TAG-SC. How do you feel about it?

Dr. Yu Bin: Thank you for your congratulations. I am very honored to be appointed as a member of this new WHO Advisory Group on Social Connection. When I got the confirmation email, I felt happy and excited. I have focused on this area for nearly ten years. Being selected as a member of an organization like this is a recognition of my work in this area. I am looking forward to collaborating with fellow experts and contributing to the WHO's efforts in promoting social connections worldwide.

Q：Could you please provide a brief overview of the selection process? What traits do you believe helped you succeed in this selection?

Dr. Yu Bin: Last year, on October 19th, the WHO initiated a call for experts for this group. I received an email from the WHO secretary regarding this call. Recognizing it as a valuable opportunity to join a global group of experts sharing similar research interests, I promptly submitted the required cover letter and my CV.

I believe the primary reason for my success in this selection is the precise alignment of my research with the scope of the TAG-SC group. The WHO established this group to address social isolation and loneliness on a global scale. As mentioned earlier, I have dedicated nearly a decade to exploring this topic. Together with my team, we have published a series of articles in top English journals, investigating the impact of social isolation or loneliness on health outcomes in Chinese populations. These studies and publications not only contributed valuable insights to the field but also increased my visibility within it.

In addition, I had the opportunity to participate in a WHO initial online discussion in January 2022, which centered on social connection, social isolation and loneliness. My active contribution during this discussion has made my work known to WHO staff and other experts in this field. This engagement may also contribute to my selection as a group member of the TAG-SC group.

Q: How do you think becoming a member of the expert group will impact your research? As the only member from Chinese mainland, what changes do you believe you will bring to the organization?

Dr. Yu Bin: This involvement strengthens my confidence to continue working in this field. The WHO has outlined the primary objectives for this group, which include increasing the political visibility and priority of the issue, developing a global index on social connection, identifying effective interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness, as well as advancing communication science in this area. With my background and research experience, I am particularly drawn to the challenge of developing a global index of social connection. Given the diverse family structures and cultural traditions in China, it’s essential to acknowledge that the notions of social isolation and loneliness may manifest differently compared to other countries. As a pioneering researcher in China on this very subject, I am confident in offering a unique perspective distinct from scholars in other countries.

In addition to my research pursuits, I am committed to dedicating more time to advancing communication science in this domain. The significance of social connection and its profound impact on health remains underestimated in our country. Through my efforts, I hope to raise public awareness and recognition of this pressing issue.

Q: Tell us more about your research.

Dr. Yu Bin: As a researcher, I would like to highlight several key points based on my experience in this field.

Firstly, it's essential to differentiate between social isolation and loneliness. While both signify poor social connection, they are distinct concepts. Social isolation refers to the objective absence of social connections, such as being alone or having few relationships, whereas loneliness is the subjective feeling of isolation or a mismatch between desired and actual social contact. One can experience isolation without feeling lonely, and vice versa. Our research findings based on the Chinese older population indicate that social isolation poses a more significant negative impact on health outcomes than loneliness does. This implies that when we intend to intervene in someone’s social connection, we should choose appropriate methods based on their deficiency.

Secondly, the increasing prevalence of social isolation and loneliness poses a significant global public health threat. Accumulated evidence shows that loneliness and social isolation raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even early death. The mortality effect of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In countries like the UK and Japan, with prominent aging populations, their government appointed a Minister for Loneliness in 2018 and 2021 respectively, in order to address loneliness issues on a national level. However, on a global scale, insufficient attention is paid to this issue, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.

Lastly, in China, the increasing aging population and the trend of empty-nesting also highlight the challenges of social isolation and loneliness. Our recent study found that social isolation increases mortality rates by 22% among Chinese older adults. Furthermore, we found that social isolation and loneliness are significantly associated with depression, cognitive decline, and reduced physical functions among Chinese older populations. This underscores the urgency for both governmental and public action. The government should improve the development of public service facilities facilitating social interactions among the elderly and improving transportation accessibility for them. At the individual level, fostering face-to-face communication between children and their parents is crucial. Our studies suggest that older adults could also benefit from online communication with loved ones, so regular video or voice calls can serve as a valuable alternative if in-person interaction is not feasible.

Editor: Eva Yin