Surgeon General Advisory: Epidemic of Loneliness

Greeting Stewards, 

Our PAHS 2023 forums are now in session. This year’s series explores the theme “Radical Hope” even as we continue to explore our experiences of helplessness, loss, illness, wellness, caretaking, injustice, and activism in relation to the experiences of others. 

This past month, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services released a new Surgeon General Advisory that raises alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States. Loneliness and isolation did not emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic further exacerbated the loneliness and isolation that more than half of American adults already felt. 

This widespread loneliness and isolation can lead to further health complications both physically and mentally. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says, “given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”

The full Surgeon General Advisory PDF lays a foundation of six pillars to initiate a system to advance social connection to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by so many Americans. To read the full Surgeon General Advisory PDF, click here!

In closing, another reminder that our 2023 “Radical Hope” forums are under way, and we  do still have five left this year! 

Warmly, 

Asheanna