hlomo

Addressable Market & Theory of Change

The Loneliness Epidemic: A Global Crisis

Loneliness is a pressing public health crisis with severe consequences for mortality, well-being, and economic productivity. It is not a personal failing but a systemic issue of disconnection. Our platform, hlomo, is designed to directly address this challenge by empowering existing communities to foster deeper, more meaningful connections. This section provides data on the scale of the problem in our target regions.

Health Impact

Social isolation significantly increases the risk of premature death, with an impact comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is also associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia.

Economic Cost

Loneliness contributes to workplace absenteeism and lower productivity, costing the UK economy an estimated £2.5 billion annually and the US economy billions more in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Societal Fabric

High levels of loneliness are linked to lower levels of community trust and engagement, eroding the social cohesion that is vital for resilient and thriving societies.