Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has designated loneliness and isolation as a public health crisis and released an advisory on a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection.
Arthur Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association (APA), said he agrees with the surgeon general, and the APA has known for years that loneliness can have severe negative impacts on other aspects of health, so it is important, especially in the wake of the pandemic, to promote social connectedness.
Even prior to the pandemic, approximately half of adults in the U.S. reported that they experienced measurable levels of loneliness, according to a release from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS said that feeling disconnected affects multiple aspects of people's health, including mental and physical, as well as societal health in general. Feelings of loneliness and isolation have been linked to the development of mental health challenges and an increased risk of premature death. People who experience insufficient connection with others face a 29% increased risk of heart disease and, for older individuals, a 50% increased risk of dementia.
“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled and more productive lives,” Dr. Murthy said in a statement, according to the release.
“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity and substance use disorders," he said. "Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely and more connected.”
Evans released a statement in support of the surgeon general's recommendation to designate social connectedness as a public health priority.
"Being socially connected to others is a basic human need—crucial to both well-being and survival. We have known for years that loneliness can significantly increase the risk for early death, and the magnitude of that risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators, including smoking and obesity," Evans said according to a release from the APA.
Evans brought out the role that COVID-19 has played in intensifying loneliness for many.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased social isolation for many vulnerable populations, including older adults, who are most vulnerable to the virus, and children, who missed out on important opportunities while schools were closed," Evans said.
He also said the remedy for loneliness will take a community approach.
"People from all walks of life, from educators to public health officials and even the media, need to consider actions that can help promote positive social interactions and healthy relationships to address this problem that affects millions of Americans daily," he said. "The surgeon general’s report demonstrates multiple ways that our physical and mental health are intricately interconnected and affected by loneliness, suggesting the need to develop social connection solutions because of their importance to our physical and psychological health.”
The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation includes a framework with recommendations that individuals, governments, employers, health systems and communities can implement to increase social connection, according to the release.
The National Strategy to Advance Social Connection has six pillars. The first pillar is to enhance social infrastructure with physical spaces for connection such as parks and libraries. The second pillar is to support policies that promote connection, such as paid family leave and accessible public transport.
The third pillar is to ensure that health-care providers are equipped to assess patients that might be at risk of loneliness and intervene to minimize the risk that the patients develop other health conditions such as depression and heart disease.
The fourth pillar is to "critically evaluate our relationship with technology," because social media usage can take away from true connection with others.
The fifth pillar is for researchers to deepen their knowledge of the causes and effects of social isolation. The final pillar is to "cultivate a culture of connection" in everyday activities and routines.
