Even before the pandemic necessitated nation-wide lockdowns and made isolation a norm, America was dealing with a loneliness problem. In a new public health advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called loneliness an “epidemic” and laid out a national strategy for strengthening individual relationships and promoting community bonds.
Murthy found that the lack of social connections is far more damaging to peoples' health than physical inactivity or even obesity. In addition to being associated with a greater risk of anxiety, depression, dementia, stroke and cardiovascular disease, the advisory said that loneliness increases the risk of premature death by around 60%.
Murthy likened the potential “mortality impact” of social disconnection to “smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”
“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,” Murthy said. “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.”
Part of the Surgeon General’s advisory is a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, something that has never before been seen in the U.S. This framework is built around a series of foundations that seek to promote social connection: strengthening social infrastructure through environments that bring people together; enacting pro-connection policies, such as paid family leave; evaluating and potentially reforming society’s relationship with technology.
Murthy urged people to start now by strengthening the connections in their own lives.
“Answer that phone call from a friend,” he said. “Make time to share a meal. Listen without the distraction of your phone. Perform an act of service. Express yourself authentically. The keys to human connection are simple, but extraordinarily powerful.”
