Loneliness increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke by almost a third, according to research.

研究显示，孤独会使人患上心脏病或中风的几率提高近1/3。

The effect of social isolation is similar to that of anxiety or work-related stress.

社交孤立的影响类似于焦虑症或工作压力。

Campaigners recently called for urgent action to tackle the 'silent epidemic' of loneliness among the elderly. More than half of over-75s live alone – and about 1 million Britons are thought to suffer loneliness.

最近，英国一些活动人士呼吁尽快行动起来，应对老年人中的“无声流行病”---孤独寂寞。英国75岁以上的老人中，超过一半独居。据称大约100万英国人感到孤独。

'Loneliness is becoming a silent epidemic in our society. It's the responsibility of our community as a whole to tackle it.'

一位活动人士说，“孤独寂寞已经成为英国的无声流行病，全社会都应为此承担起责任。”