A new social emergency is growing in Italy: the social isolation of the elderly affects two over 65 out of ten in our country. In an ordinary week, 20% of this population had no contact with other people and 70% did not attend group meetings. It is the alarm launched by Associazione Anziani Rete Associativa, which brings together more than 100 associations active in nine Regions. “The over 65 lack aggregation points such as elderly centers, circles, parishes or headquarters of political parties and associations – says Brunella Tancato, President of AIRA - Our association will fight so that the centers of cultural aggregation or recreational circles are not closed or worse still dismantled for chronic lack of funds (we believe for chronic lack of will). Italy is second in the world for longevity, behind only Japan. In 2020, there were more than 14 million people over 65 in our country, and they will reach more than 20 million people in the coming years. “There are 2.5 million elderly people over 74 living alone and they represent about 4% of the total population – continues President of AIRA - Social isolation and loneliness are closely related to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety, which sometimes border on depression and a serious decline in physical health. We are convinced that the best cure to live in health is certainly to do prevention, but also to be together with others, to confront and feel useful to civil society.