US health officials have declared that the country is facing an epidemic of loneliness that's as dangerous to health as smoking. The World Health Organisation has launched a commission to look into the health implications of loneliness with surveys consistently suggesting that one in four people around the world feel lonely.

We look at what’s behind these huge numbers and explore solutions with the BBC’s global health correspondent, Tulip Mazumdar, and Professor Manuela Barreto, who was part of the largest study into loneliness to date.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Beth Timmins and Wendy Parker. The technical producer were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.