Experiencing loneliness has greater risks than that of obesity and physical inactivity, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, warned in an advisory issued May 2.
According to the advisory, half of the adult population in the U.S. recently reported experiencing loneliness, which was exacerbated by the pandemic.
Dr. Murthy's call to action stresses the importance of relationship building and community efforts to build feelings of connectedness.
The advisory breaks down the importance of social connection and addresses the benefits of forming relationships and communities to address the widespread feelings of isolation in the U.S.
Dr. Murthy encourages the government to prioritize policies that promote social connection, such as walkable cities and healthcare screenings for loneliness.
"It will take all of us — individuals and families, schools and workplaces, healthcare and public health systems, technology companies, governments, faith organizations and communities — working together to destigmatize loneliness and change our cultural and policy response to it," he said in the advisory. "It will require reimagining the structures, policies and programs that shape a community to best support the development of healthy relationships."