币界网报道：The global loneliness epidemic is intensifying as people increasingly lack meaningful social connections, according to recent studies. Research indicates over 30% of adults worldwide report frequent feelings of isolation, with younger generations disproportionately affected. Experts attribute this trend to urbanization, digital communication replacing in-person interactions, and the decline of traditional community structures. Mental health professionals warn chronic loneliness carries severe health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily, including heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. Corporations are responding with workplace initiatives like mentorship programs and communal spaces, while urban planners are designing cities to foster accidental social encounters. Digital platforms are experimenting with AI companions and virtual communities, though critics argue these may exacerbate the problem by substituting for genuine human bonds. Governments in several countries have appointed ministers of loneliness to coordinate policy responses, ranging from community center funding to public awareness campaigns. The economic impact is significant, with lost productivity and increased healthcare costs estimated at billions annually. Some sociologists suggest the crisis stems from modern society's overemphasis on individualism at the expense of communal values, calling for cultural shifts toward prioritizing relationships over material success.