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Loneliness and its link to, for example, mental health, has become important to global public health and research in the social sciences. Often referred to as the ‘epidemic’ of loneliness, it is increasingly perceived as a global health, wellbeing, and social issue. This chapter will explore the issue of loneliness, as a global public health issue, and consider current literature around the groups most likely to experience loneliness. The chapter proceeds to argue for a study of loneliness ‘in its own right’, and suggests some strategic directions for further research, such as use of broader theoretical frameworks, especially the social constructionist approach, and qualitative orientated approaches.

Armed conflicts, defined as ‘any organised dispute that involves the use of weapons, violence, or force, whether within national borders or beyond them, and whether involving state actors or nongovernment entities’ (Kadir et al., 2018: 2), are said to impact one in 10 children worldwide with estimates of around 230 million children living in areas affected by conflict (UNICEF, 2015). In this chapter, we will explore the impact of armed conflict on children’s mental health briefly, outlining community based and trauma-based psychosocial interventions. We conclude by offering a critique of Western focused psychosocial interventions, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive interventions, which take on board, locally socially constructed ideas of healing and trauma.

Nomadic peoples are diverse and heterogenous groups who have high levels of mobility and move from place to place, often with their livestock, in search of resources, work and food. Examples of nomadic or mobile peoples are African pastoralist groups such as the Turkana, as well as the Bedouin, and Mongolian Herders. It is difficult to estimate the number of nomadic peoples globally, due to their high level of mobility, and because they often inhabit remote and isolated places (Wild et al., 2019). In relation to nomadic pastoralists, some estimates put the number at 20 million pastoral households (de Haan et al., 1997: cited in FAO, 2016) or 200 million pastoralist individuals (Rota and Sperandini, 2009). These latter numbers, however, do not include other nomadic peoples, such as San hunter gatherers or groups such as Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers who have cultural traditions of nomadism. Access to healthcare is often highlighted as being problematic for nomadic peoples and is said to contribute to poor health outcomes. This chapter will explore access to healthcare for nomadic peoples, and link this to critical theory in relation to marginalisation, invisibilisation, and social justice.

Violence is a major global public health problem (WHO, 2002) with some likening it to an epidemic being both contagious, as well as causing morbidity and mortality (Slutkin, 2013). Moreover, a public health approach to violence is highlighted as being important in relation to interventions. This chapter will explore violence and its impact upon global public health before continuing to explore how an awareness of critical social theories such as structural and cultural violence contributes to a more in-depth understanding of violence. The impact of structural and cultural violence in relation to male violence towards women and girls, including femicide, will be focused upon, as well as a discussion of youth violence.

Outline the social, economic and policy factors behind the increasing settlement of Britain’s nomadic communities.\ud Discuss how the concepts of cultural trauma and collective resilience can aid our understanding of how minority groups respond to external change.\ud Examine the relationship between accommodation and the wellbeing of Gypsies and Travellers.\ud Explore some of the difficulties faced by newly housed Gypsies and Travellers and consider the impact on subjective wellbeing.\ud Consider the role of locally based social networks in boosting individual and collective wellbeing.