In Case You Haven't Heard…

Abstract

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., last week released a new advisory: “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.” Social connection significantly improves the health and well‐being of all individuals, he stated. “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling — it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death,” Murthy indicated in his letter of introduction. “Given the profound consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis. This Surgeon General's Advisory shows us how to build more connected lives and a more connected society. If we fail to do so, we will pay an ever‐increasing price in the form of our individual and collective health and well‐being.” In response, Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., CEO of the American Psychological Association, stated, “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.”