Loneliness, exacerbated by social media use, poses health risks as deadly as smoking twelve cigarettes a day, according to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
“The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity,” the advisory continued. “And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished.”
The U.S. surgeon general says loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually. https://t.co/YNurOs6axX
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 2, 2023
Since the 1970s, community involvement including religious worship, clubs and labor unions has been in decline, the advisory states. In 1999, 70% of Americans stated they belonged to a church, mosque, synagogue or other house of worship. In 2020, only 47% surveyed claimed membership in a religious organization — marking the first time in history the response was met with an answer below 50%, according to the advisory.
“Religious or faith-based groups can be a source for regular social contact, serve as a community of support, provide meaning and purpose, create a sense of belonging around shared values and beliefs, and are associated with reduced risk-taking behaviors,” the advisory reads.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, prolonged isolation gave rise to “anxiety and panic, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, insomnia, digestive problems, as well as depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress” for some, according to a study on the psychological effects of the lockdowns. (RELATED: Pandemic Has Led To ‘National Mental Health Crisis’ APA Survey Finds)
“We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It’s like hunger or thirst. It’s a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Murthy told The Associated Press. “Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that’s not right. That’s why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing.”
Murthy cited social media, in particular, for its impact on socialization, arguing its use displaces in-person engagement, monopolizes people’s attention, reduces the quality of interactions and even diminishes self-esteem.
To combat this troubling trend, Murthy stressed the importance of strengthening individual relationships, encouraging citizens to “live healthier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives.” As a suggestion for how to begin, Murthy urges individuals to make time for others by performing an act of service, listening to each other without the distraction of a device and sharing meals.
“The keys to human connection are simple, but extraordinarily powerful,” he stated. (RELATED: The Collapse Of Teen Mental Health-And Deadly Mass Shootings – Can Be Traced To One Single Trend)
“If we fail to do so, we will pay an ever-increasing price in the form of our individual and collective health and well-being. And we will continue to splinter and divide until we can no longer stand as a community or a country. Instead of coming together to take on the great challenges before us, we will further retreat to our corners—angry, sick, and alone,” Murthy warned.