CNN
—
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy on Tuesday released recommendations to address the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” affecting the country and lay out the framework for a “national strategy to promote social connectedness.” .
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that the recommendations are part of the Biden administration’s broader mental health efforts.
“In recent years, approximately 1 in 2 American adults have reported experiencing loneliness,” Murthy said in the advisory. “And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut many of us off from our friends, loved ones, and support systems.”
Research shows that loneliness and isolation in young people is associated with sleep disturbances, inflammation, and immune changes. In older adults, it has been linked to symptoms such as pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and a shortened lifespan. It may be associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, addiction, suicidality, self-harm, and dementia in people of all ages.
But Murthy’s office said in a statement that social connections can help and act as a buffer against health problems while building community resilience.
“I think solitude is the great masquerade. It may look different,” Murthy told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday. “Some people become withdrawn. Others become irritated and angry. …I think it’s when you start feeling lonely for a long period of time that you start to worry. When you feel lonely, pick up the phone. It’s okay to call a friend and disappear, or to get in the car and go see your family. It’s a signal it sends, and it’s only when it persists that it becomes harmful.”
Social connections are as essential to humanity as food, water and shelter, the advisory states. Humans have historically needed to depend on each other to survive, and modern humans continue to be wired for that connection and proximity to others.
“Given the serious impact of loneliness and isolation, we see an opportunity to make the same investments in addressing social connectedness that we have made to address the tobacco use, obesity and addiction crises. We have a duty to do so,” Murthy said in his recommendation. . “We are called to build a movement that will repair the social fabric of this country. Individuals and families, schools and workplaces, health care and public health systems, technology companies, governments, faith groups, communities and more. We all need to work together to end the stigma of loneliness and change cultural and policy responses to it.”
This framework is based on six pillars.
The first is strengthening a community’s social infrastructure, which includes strengthening programs such as volunteer organizations and religious organizations, policies such as public transportation and education, and physical elements such as libraries and green spaces.
“Investment in communities and social infrastructure will be inadequate if access to benefits is limited to some groups,” the recommendation says. “Equitable access to social infrastructure for all groups, including those most at risk of social disconnection, is fundamental to building connected national and global communities.”
The second pillar calls for more “connected public policies.” Governments and institutions are urged to adopt an approach that recognizes that “all sectors of society are concerned with social connectedness”, with policies that can benefit or hinder connectedness. Masu. Policymakers should focus on reducing connectivity gaps.
The third pillar relies on the critical role of public health and health care delivery systems to address social connections. Murthy calls for increased investment in educating health professionals about the physical and psychological benefits of social connection and the risks of disconnection. Patients’ needs need to be assessed and supported, he says, and organizations need to track the prevalence of disconnection in their communities and promote local solutions.
For the fourth pillar, digital transformation, Murthy cited the “tangible impact” of technology on Americans’ daily lives and connections. “Technology can also distract us and occupy our mental bandwidth, making us feel worse about ourselves and our relationships, and reducing our ability to connect with others. It fans the flames of bullying and other serious social negativity.”
The framework calls for increased data transparency for tech companies and the establishment and enforcement of safety standards, including age-related protections. It also encourages the development of “connectivity-enhancing technologies that foster healthy social connections, create safe conversational environments, and protect the well-being of users.”
The fifth pillar, Deepening Knowledge, invites stakeholders such as officials, policy makers, health care providers, and researchers to collaborate on research challenges to address data gaps. “Consistent measurement is essential to better understand the dynamics of connectivity and disconnection and how these conditions can be effectively and efficiently addressed.”
The final pillar encourages a culture of connection in which Americans “foster values of kindness, respect, service, and dedication to one another.” Murthy said everyone can use their voice to highlight these values and model healthy connections, and national institutions need to invest in demonstrating them. Masu.
The recommendations conclude with suggestions on how specific groups, including governments, health institutions, schools, workplaces and individuals, can contribute to promoting social connections.
Get CNN Health’s weekly newsletter
Parents and carers have a particularly powerful role, the recommendations say. You can model healthy connections by spending time together, setting aside time to socialize without screens, and engaging in constructive conflict resolution. They are also urged to encourage individual friendships and group activities, to be aware of how young people are spending their time online and to be aware of potential warning signs of loneliness and isolation.
American individuals may take time each day to connect with friends and family and minimize distractions during conversations. By regularly practicing service and gratitude, you can inspire others to do the same. Cut down on things that lead to disconnection, like toxic social media use or time spent in unhealthy relationships. Be open with your health care provider about any significant social changes that may affect your level of connectedness, and reach out to a loved one, counselor, health care provider, or crisis hotline during difficult times.