According to the US Surgeon general: “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,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “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. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”
The surgeon general laid out a framework to establish a national strategy that includes: (1) strengthinging the social infrastructure (i.e., parks, libraries, playgrounds), (2) enact pro-connection public policies (paid family leave, public transportation), (3) mobilize the health sector (assess risk for loneliness), (4) reform digital environments (re-evaluate relationship with technology), (5) deepen knowledge (research to understand social connection), and (6) cultivate a culture of connection (change norms).
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