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Transcript/ScriptEDITOR: Vincent Makori
ADAPTOR: LINORD MOUDOU
SCRIPT 231 (12/08/23) – Loneliness
This week on healthy living – We take a look at a silent crisis affecting millions across the globe – loneliness.
We’ll see the impact of social isolation on our physical and mental health.
And Jillian Racoosin, Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection, shares some tips to address loneliness.
Plus, Kenya's electronic health system is transforming rural health care access.
THAT’S IN THIS EDITION OF HEALTHY LIVING!
WELCOME / MOROCCO SOCIAL ISOLATION (PKG)
Hello, I’m Linord Moudou. Thank you for joining us for another episode of Healthy Living.
Loneliness is on the rise, and it's not just a personal issue. Recent studies indicate that an increasing number of people are experiencing feelings of isolation and disconnection, and this is becoming a public health concern.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1 in 4 older people experience social isolation and between 5 and 15 per cent of young people experience loneliness globally. People experience loneliness regardless of age, gender, and socioeconomic boundaries. Medical experts say the issue has a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. They say factors such as urbanization, the rise of digital communication, and the effects of the global pandemic have all contributed to a surge in people feeling isolated and disconnected. WHO is making loneliness a global health priority, with the launch of a new Commission on Social Connection to address the pressing health threat of what the organization says, is a global epidemic.
Let’s go to Casablanca in Morocco where VOA’s correspondents Emmanuel MOADJIDIBAYE and Emmanuel NGAPELA, spoke to psychologists about the challenges of loneliness.
[PKG]
WORD ON THE STREET
INTRO: COPING WITH LONELINESS
What circumstances make you feel lonely and how do you cope with loneliness? Here are some reactions from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[ PKG ]
ASK THE EXPERT
INTRO: ADDRESSING LONELINESS
Jillian Racoosin is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection. She tells us more about loneliness and how to address it.
[SOT]
WHAT’S NEW
INTRO: KENYA’S HEALTH DIGITAL SYSTEM
Kenya’s Health Ministry has rolled out a digital health information system to help workers diagnose patients and store their health records. Mohammed Yusuf reports from a village in western Kenya, where hospitals have recorded an increase in people seeking medical assistance since the deployment of the system.
[ PKG ]
WELLBEING
INTRO: AUTISM TRANSIT PROJECT
When his personal life was touched by autism, Jonathan Trichter made a career change and cofounded Foundry Learning Center. The center is an alternative education day program serving students with autism and other developmental disabilities. Jonathan also launched the Autism Transit Project, where autistic kids write and record subway announcements to be played as part of Autism Awareness Month.
[ PKG ]
SHOW GOODBYE
Thanks for watching Healthy Living. For the latest news and coverage, stay connected to Voice of America at voa-africa-dot-com. You can follow me on X at Linord Moudou.
That’s our show for today. Until next time, stay well and strive to make everyday a healthy day!!!
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