In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country.

Even before the pandemic, about half of American adults reported feeling measurable levels of loneliness, adversely affecting our mental, physical, and societal health.

“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.”

While the loneliness epidemic is widespread and has profound consequences for our individual and collective health and well-being, social connection is a medicine hiding in plain sight. Read the full report.