The U.S. Surgeon General put out an advisory on Tuesday warning people that loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country has become a public health crisis.
“Lacking connection increases the risk for premature death to more than 60%. Put simply, this social disconnection increases the risk for premature death to the same levels as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said, according to ABC News.
I had no idea that loneliness can actually cause premature death. The risk of dying early increases by 26% for those who are lonely, and 29% for those in isolation. Not getting enough human connection has been linked to risk of heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression and even dementia.
Thankfully, Murthy wants to do something about this.
“Given the profound consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an opportunity, an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity and the addiction crisis,” he stated.
Check out the advisory that was put out that gives suggestions for individuals, governments, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations that aim to increase social connection.