Solving America’s Loneliness Crisis: Expert Insights on Effective Strategies

**Loneliness and Isolation: A National Health Crisis**
A national health advisory issued by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on May 3, 2023, highlights a pressing public health concern – loneliness and social isolation. This report stems from Dr. Murthy’s personal and professional experience, revealing the detrimental health effects of these conditions. Surprisingly, loneliness and social isolation have been found to have the same impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, potentially shortening one’s lifespan by up to 15 years. As an academic leader and former COVID-19 czar for West Virginia, I have experience in addressing public health emergencies. In this article, we will delve into the problem of loneliness and isolation, explore potential solutions, and discuss the benefits of implementing them.

**The Prevalence of Loneliness and Isolation**
Loneliness and social isolation have become pervasive in society. According to a 2021 survey conducted by Cigna, nearly 1 in 6 Americans reported feeling lonely or isolated. This means that these conditions likely affect either you or someone you know. Interestingly, young adults were twice as likely as those over age 65 to experience loneliness or isolation. Moreover, 75% of Hispanics and 68% of Black or African American individuals reported feeling lonely or isolated, along with the majority of lower-income respondents and single parents. While definitive explanations for these high numbers are lacking, experts speculate that factors such as population mobility, the shift from in-person to remote work and learning during the pandemic, and societal divisions caused by social media and irresponsible news platforms contribute to these conditions.

**Aversion Bias and Loneliness**
Advertisers and media leaders recognize that humans tend to respond more to messages that elicit fear and loss. This phenomenon, known as “aversion bias,” reveals that individuals are twice as fearful of loss as they are enthusiastic about gain. When we experience social isolation and loneliness, our heightened sense of vigilance for potential threats activates our innate survival instincts. This response is deeply rooted in human evolution, as being part of a group or community was crucial for early humans’ survival. Separation or exclusion from one’s tribe often meant certain death. Thus, thriving relationships are vital for our sense of safety and well-being. Numerous studies on longevity consistently underline that the strength of long-term relationships is the primary driver of a long and healthy life.

**The Link Between Stress and Loneliness**
The human nervous system operates in two modes: the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic system and the “rest and digest” state of the parasympathetic system. Loneliness and isolation disrupt this balance and trigger an overactive sympathetic nervous system, leading to hypervigilance. When the threat response is activated, individuals perceive their environment as unsafe, releasing hormones that interfere with trust and pleasure responses. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can lead to elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and damage to various bodily systems, including the heart, brain, blood and liver, and metabolic and musculoskeletal systems. Similar to an engine that is continuously over-revving, our bodies start to break down, and our perception of pain intensifies. Feelings of worthlessness and fear can increase the risk of substance abuse, mental health issues, chronic diseases, and obesity, all of which can contribute to a shorter lifespan. It’s worth noting that stress can also lead individuals to isolate themselves, creating a cyclic relationship between stress and loneliness.

**Finding Relief: Meaningful Social Connection**
A crucial solution to combat loneliness and social isolation is fostering meaningful social connections. These connections play a significant role in enhancing psychological and physical safety, self-worth, and a sense of belonging and contribution. Relationships that extend beyond just family to friends and larger networks of trust and community form what is known as “social capital.” Economists from Princeton University, Anne Case, and Angus Deaton, suggest that the decline in social capital due to job losses in Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley from 1999 to 2013 contributed significantly to the increased rates of overdose, suicide, and liver disease in those areas.

**Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic: A Call to Action**
Dr. Murthy’s Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection provides a practical roadmap for tackling the public health problem of social disconnection and strengthening social connection and community. This framework encourages individuals to be open to new relationships, reconnect with friends and distant family members, and engage in volunteer work. Additionally, the framework includes valuable tools and resources for individuals and organizations looking to invest in community-based social relationships and improve mental health on a community level.

**The Urgency in My Home State**
As a resident of West Virginia, my home state serves as the epicenter of “deaths of despair,” where individuals are disproportionately affected by the loss of jobs, social capital, purpose, and relationships, leading to loneliness and social isolation. This reality contributes to West Virginia having the second-lowest life expectancy in the country and some of the poorest health outcomes. However, West Virginia also possesses resilient individuals who genuinely care for one another. To better serve our state, the staff at the flagship university academic medical center is actively working to improve healthcare access. Business and government leaders are also focused on combatting loneliness and social isolation through job creation, fostering social capital, and nurturing caring relationships. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the crisis of loneliness and isolation necessitates collective community efforts to make a positive difference.

In conclusion, loneliness and social isolation pose significant public health challenges with far-reaching consequences on individuals and communities. By prioritizing meaningful social connections and implementing practical strategies outlined in Dr. Murthy’s Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, we can work towards alleviating the loneliness epidemic and its associated negative health outcomes. Together, we can build a society where everyone feels a sense of belonging and experiences improved overall well-being.

**Source:** Republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.