Paloma Chavez Charlotte Observer
There is a growing epidemic the country needs to worry about, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t take action, the U.S. surgeon general says. Loneliness and isolation and feeling forgotten and left behind are the worst feelings in LIFE and are on the rise in the U.S., and it’s quickly turning into a crisis — with roughly half of adults saying they’ve recently experienced loneliness, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s 2023 advisory.
“When I first took office as Surgeon General in 2014, I didn’t view loneliness as a public health concern,” he said in his advisory. Loneliness and isolation are on the rise in the U.S., and it’s quickly turning into a crisis, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s 2023 advisory. It wasn’t until he traveled across the country to hear Americans share their stories of feeling “isolated, invisible, and insignificant” that he realized “social disconnection was far more common than” he “had realized.”
The loneliness ‘crisis’
Though the COVID-19 pandemic brought out feelings of isolation and loneliness in many, they were already on the rise. The two make up this national issue of disconnectedness, and though they are related, they do not mean quite the same thing. Social isolation is defined by having few relationships and lack of social interaction, whereas loneliness is an “internal state.”
A 2022 study cited by the advisory showed only 39% of Americans felt like they were connected to others emotionally. The study showed that with this increase in lack of social connection to others, there was also an increase in loneliness.
The two factors are shown to be more “widespread than many of the other
major health issues of our day, including smoking, diabetes, and obesity,” the advisory says. An increase in technology use, lack of community involvement and decline in personal participation in social interaction can partially be behind the rise in loneliness throughout the country.
Why social connection matters
It’s simple. People who feel connected to others seem to live longer.
Recent data spanning 148 studies has shown that individuals with a higher
level of social connection has increased their “odds of survival by 50%.”
Social connection influences health through three main pathways:
biology, psychology and behavior.
The biology as in hormones, genes and inflammation; psychological as in having purpose and hopefulness; and behaviors like exercise, sleep and nutrition. So how can adequate social interaction help a person with these three health factors?
Social connection affects the biological pathway by showing up early in life and “contributing to risk and protection from disease” along the way. The psychological pathway is affected by social relationships and by giving a person motivation in their life.
Behavior can be affected directly through social influence by loved ones’ words of encouragement or following by example, like being more physically active if your friends work out. Lack of social connection, on the other hand, is a risk factor for deaths caused by disease, the advisory says.
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression, infectious disease, anxiety and reduced cognitive function are all possible results. A weakened immune system caused by less social interaction may increase a person’s chance of developing an infectious disease. A study done during the COVID-19 pandemic showed “a lack of social connection with neighbors and resultant loneliness was associated with weaker antibody responses to the vaccine.”
Ways to improve social connection
The advisory suggests designing a communal environment that helps build social connection through programs and institutes that bring people together. From a government perspective, policies should be put in place to “minimize harm from disconnection,” Murthy says. Additionally, he says health care providers should be thoroughly trained on the topic and increase tracking of disconnection in communities.
The surgeon general:
Also advises that because digital environments may be a cause of loneliness and lack of social connection, companies need to provide more data transparency so officials can more broadly understand how technology affects disconnection. He also says those companies need to increase safety standards to protect users.
For the nation to combat this epidemic, there needs to be a sense of public awareness and more research funding on the topic, Murthy says. He suggests gathering researchers, health professionals and policymakers to make a national agenda to address the issue.
Overall, he says the most important way to cultivate is something people can do in their everyday lives. He says individuals need a new sense of social connection and to build
“a culture of connection” through acts of service, being kind, respecting one another,
and having these conversations in schools and workplaces.
The surgeon general urges the public to act now because “our future depends on
what we do today.” “Answer that phone call from a friend. Make time to share a meal.
Listen without the distraction of your phone,” he said. “Perform an act of service.
Express yourself authentically.
The keys to human connection are simple, but extraordinarily powerful.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the NAMI HelpLine.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. You can call 1-800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640 each Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
Loneliness leads to higher instances of disease, dementia, stroke, depression and anxiety. But what will cure loneliness requires just a bit more effort from each of us.
Jon Gabriel
Opinion contributor
President Biden is finally dismantling the last remaining COVID-related restrictions.
But don’t worry: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has announced a new epidemic.
This one didn’t escape from a wet market and certainly wasn’t created in a lab.
Dr. Murthy has declared “an epidemic of loneliness.” “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right,” Murthy said. “That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.”
Loneliness has real impacts on our health.
The surgeon general released an 81-page report this week showing that half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness. That number seems low — who hasn’t felt lonely? — but just 39% answered that they “felt very connected to others.”
From the U.S. surgeon general:
Our kids’ mental health is as critical as their grades.
Here’s how to prioritize both.
All the lonely people: Why Americans’ isolation is a threat to our democracy
Murthy took action when research tied serious mental and physical health risks to social disconnection. According to the report, loneliness leads to higher instances of disease, dementia, stroke, depression and anxiety. The damage to life expectancy is as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily. All of this adds to higher health costs, loss of worker productivity and declining community cohesion.
It’s not just COVID. Americans have been isolating ourselves for years
Every governmental policy bears unintended consequences. Unsurprisingly, the strict COVID-19 lockdowns forced upon much of the country helped stoke this new epidemic. But those restrictions hardly deserve all the blame. Over the past two decades, individual social participation with friends and family has fallen, along with larger-scale community involvement.
Fewer people are married and couples have fewer children. Outside of relatives, Americans are far less likely to join community organizations or show up for religious services. Just 20% attend faith communities on a weekly basis.
Americans see each other as enemies:
Americans increasingly don’t value God,
country or children. Can anything still unite us?
‘Not left or right, but deep’ :How people of faith can help to heal America’s divisions
Then, of course, there’s technology. When you can work from home and attend school online, there are fewer reasons than ever to change out of your pajamas.
Technology, social media made the problem worse
Bored teens in the 1980s would head to the mall and run into a dozen friends eager to catch a movie or annoy retail staff. Today, the friends all reside in a teen’s smartphone, with many located across the country or on the other side of the world. Adults are much the same. With a few clicks, everything from meals to clothes to books are dropped on our doorsteps.
Dr. Phil: Want your teen to feel happier and less anxious?
Get them off their phone and social media.
Stop AAPI hate: New survey shows increase in anti-Asian hate, discrimination.
Here’s how we can stop it. Worse still, one can tailor their online communities to weed out anyone with different politics, interests or opinions. With a large chunk of Americans never exposed to a contrary viewpoint, it’s no wonder we’re at each other’s throats.
We all know social isolation is a problem and are pretty sure what’s causing it.
It’s time to fix it for our own health as well as our communities.
Feeling lonely? Here are some things you can do.
Murthy offers a few ideas but few show much hope. We can tweak family leave and
pass a tech reform or two, but top-down public policy solutions won’t improve much.
What will cure loneliness just requires a bit more effort from each of us.
* Join a social club or community organization. And actually show up; no Zoom allowed.
* Visit your church, synagogue, or mosque and sign up as a volunteer for anything that strikes your fancy.
Seriously, if I can do this stuff anyone can.
I’m a serious introvert by nature and love my alone time. Yet I made a commitment two years ago to meet with a friend for lunch or coffee every week or two to strengthen those critical ties. I applaud Murthy for calling attention to this epidemic, but even he must know loneliness can’t be fixed by a federal agency. Ultimately, it’s up to us. So, call a friend and invite them to lunch. Yes, you’ll have to change out of your pajamas, but won’t kill you.
Now, they’re the highlight of my week.
It might just save your life.
Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor
to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, where this column was first published.
On Twitter: @exjon. If you need immediate help in a crisis, call 1-800-273-8255
to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
I just attended a cult to God, taught by a scientist prof. Adauto Lourenço, in which he spoke about 3 in 1, in all creation. Wonderful, God continue to bless you greatly
3 in 1, in all creation. – Search (bing.com)
Scientist prof. Adauto Lourenço, in which he spoke about 3 in 1, in all creation.
More Catholics in South versus North America – Search (bing.com)
BONUS: The Durham Report.
WASHINGTON (AP) — An investigation into the origins of the FBI’s probe of ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign has finally been concluded, with prosecutor John Durham submitting a much-anticipated report
that spelled out what it identified as major flaws.
Who is John Durham?
Durham had spent decades as a Justice Department prosecutor, with past assignments including investigations into the FBI’s cozy relationship with mobsters in Boston and the CIA’s destruction of videotapes of its harsh interrogations of terrorism subjects, when he was called upon in 2019 by then–Atty. Gen. William Barr to look into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, which had become a cause célèbre for the Trump team, with his
re-election bid in 2020 then rapidly approaching for Trump-sympathetic media outlets.
Durham was tapped to investigate potential misconduct by U.S. government officials as they examined Russian election interference in 2016 and whether there was any illegal coordination between the Kremlin and Trump’s presidential campaign.
Despite skimpy results — one guilty plea and two acquittals — that failed to live up to Trump’s expectations, Durham was able to continue his work deep into the Biden administration, thanks in part to Barr’s appointing Durham as a Justice Department special counsel shortly before Barr’s 2020 resignation as attorney general and to Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland’s stated goal of behaving politically atop the Justice Department.
Why did the Barr Justice Department feel Durham’s appointment was necessary?
The appointment came weeks after a different special counsel, Robert Mueller, wrapped up his investigation of possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. That probe produced more than two dozen criminal cases, including against a half-dozen Trump associates.
Though it did not charge any Trump aide with working with Russia to tip the election, it did find that Russia interfered on Trump’s behalf and that the campaign welcomed, rather than discouraged, the help.
From the start, Barr was deeply skeptical of the intelligence-community investigation’s foundation, telling Congress that “spying did occur” on the campaign.
From the archives (May 2019):
Barr tells senators that spying has no ‘pejorative connotation’
He enlisted an outside prosecutor to hunt for potential misconduct at the government agencies who were involved in collecting intelligence and conducting the investigation, even taking the unusual step — given that a key reason for tapping a special prosecutor is to insulate that official from real or perceived influence by a political appointee — of flying with Durham to Italy to meet with officials there as part of the probe.
Republicans push bill empowering local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws following Title 42’s demise (msn.com)
Keith Olbermann demands Jake Tapper ‘resign’ after CNN host admits Durham Report ‘devastating to the FBI’ (msn.com)
Kamala Harris grilled after claiming conservatives banning ‘women’s history’ classes: ‘Her mind is a blender’ (msn.com)
EXCLUSIVE: Biden Admin Asks Agriculture, Interior Departments For Help Stemming Tide Of Migrants Crossing Border;
EXCLUSIVE: DOJ Plans To Commemorate George Floyd’s Death By Announcing New Law Enforcement Policy.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. releases statement slamming Sen. John Kennedy, who he is ‘neither allied nor related to’.
LAURA INGRAHAM: Our leaders are trying to intimidate everyone who disagrees with them (msn.com)
2021 Nostradamus Predictions: Will His Terrifying Prophecies Come True? (standardnews.com)
State Regulator Blames Biden’s ‘Green New Deal’ For Massive Hike To Energy Bills (msn.com)
STEPHEN MOORE: Unions Are Finally Getting Wise To Biden’s Job-Killing Agenda (msn.com)
Senate votes to overturn DC police reform bill, reigniting tensions over home rule (msn.com)
MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace rejects Durham Report since her career ‘was built upon a fraud’ in Russia gate: Critics
Democrat downplays attacks on churches after Dobbs abortion decision: What is the ‘relevance?’ (msn.com)
Biden gives clearest indication to date he’s willing to make a critical debt ceiling compromise (msn.com)
Culture wars are spreading to work: Republican and Democrat workers deeply divided over DEI (msn.com)
As Trump election probe continues, if Georgia’s fake electors get busted, so could Arizona’s (msn.com)
Riley Gaines says Biden’s new rules are doing major damage: ‘As women, we deserve safety’ (msn.com)
It started with Obama’: Nikki Haley blames first Black president for regressing race relations (msn.com)
Biden Vetoes Bill Cracking Down On Tariff Loophole That Benefited Chinese Solar Industry (msn.com)
Trump was right: ‘Russian collusion’ was a hoax. Good luck regaining the public’s trust. (msn.com)
A Russian warlord posed over the body of a US Army vet killed in Ukraine — then bizarrely said
he’d send him back to America draped in a flag as a sign of respect (msn.com)
Rich people with purely selfish motives are to blame for the West’s rapid disintegration –
Man says the West is disintegrating at an accelerated rate (msn.com)
Best Places to Eat in Banff National Park | 13 Family-Friendly Restaurants (msn.com)
Obama concerned that Americans ‘almost occupy different realities’ (msn.com)
Tijuana expecting 40 percent of deported migrants in coming weeks (msn.com)
The States Americans Are Fleeing (And Where They’re Going) | Moneywise
The Border Wall Is Not Looking Like Such A Bad Idea Now, Eh? (msn.com)
The States Americans Are Fleeing (And Where They’re Going) | Moneywise
The Border Wall Is Not Looking Like Such A Bad Idea Now, Eh? (msn.com)
The States Americans Are Fleeing (And Where They’re Going) | Moneywise
The Border Wall Is Not Looking Like Such A Bad Idea Now, Eh? (msn.com)
Biden suggests that KAMALA is running the White House (msn.com)
Biden suggests that KAMALA is running the White House (msn.com)
Joe Biden Is One Really Bad President (msn.com)
Joe Biden’s Biggest Mistake (msn.com)