Loneliness and social isolation have become such a public health crisis in the United States that the nation's top doctor has issued a national strategy to address the "epidemic."
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released "The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" May 3, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced at the time. The advisory outlines for a national strategy to improve social connections, "which has never been implemented before in the United States," the news release states.
“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health,” Murthy said in the news release. “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."
A lack of social and personal connections negatively impacts mental, physical and societal health, according to the HHS. Physical consequences include a 29% higher risk for heart disease, 32% higher chance of stroke, 50% increased risk for developing dementia in older people and a 60% chance of premature death. Mental health problems are also exacerbated by isolation; the release reports the risk of developing depression is double for people who report feeling lonely than it is for those who do not.
"In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily," the release states.
The Surgeon General's Advisory lays out a framework of six pillars which describe ways individuals, workplaces, community groups, health systems and governments can improve social connections and public health.
The "pillars" include strengthening social infrastructure with the creation of public spaces such as parks, libraries and playgrounds; enacting pro-connection public policies such as more accessible public transportation and family-leave policies; mobilizing the health sector to recognize the signs of loneliness and isolation in their patients and intervene; reforming digital environments and re-evaluating relationships with technology and social medias; deepening knowledge of the causes and results of disconnections and develop efforts to increase connections; and cultivate a culture of connection in everyday lives.
"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," Murthy said in the release. "Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”
