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U.S. Surgeon General releases Advisory and National Strategy to Advance Social Connection

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    U.S. Surgeon General releases Advisory and National Strategy to Advance Social Connection

    On May 2, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a Surgeon General’s Advisory entitled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” highlighting the growing number of individuals in the U.S. that are experiencing loneliness, isolation, and disconnection.

    The Advisory defines social connection as the number, variety, and quality of relationships and interactions and the ability of these interactions to meet your needs. The Advisory reports that social isolation among older adults accounts for an estimated $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually, which can be attributed to increased hospital and nursing facility spending. Loneliness and social isolation is now more widespread than other health issues like smoking, obesity and diabetes.

    Data cited in the advisory point to detrimental consequences of this epidemic on our health, citing that individuals with poor social connection are:  

    • 29 percent more at risk for coronary heart disease,  
    • 32 percent more at risk of stroke,  
    • 50 percent more at risk of developing dementia in older adults,  
    • 2 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety, and  
    • more at risk of diabetes and premature death.  

    In addition to the advisory, the Surgeon General laid out a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, the first of its kind to outline recommendations for all levels of governments, workplaces, health systems, community organizations and individuals on how to strengthen relationships and build connection.

    Promoting social connectedness has tangible impacts across nearly every county sector – fostering healthier, more resilient, safer, economically prosperous, civically engaged communities. The national strategy has important implications for county governments, who will be integral to the implementation of this national strategy as administrators of health and social safety net services and drivers of the programs, policies, and physical environments that shape social infrastructure.   

    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

    • NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing

    • The County Role in Long-Term Care

    • Mental Health Awareness Month: County Participation Toolkit

    On May 2, U.S. Surgeon General Dr.
    2023-05-23
    Blog
    2023-05-23
On May 2, the U.S. Surgeon General released an Advisory and National Strategy highlighting the growing number of individuals in the U.S. that are experiencing loneliness, isolation and disconnection Social isolation among older adults accounts for an estimated $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually Counties will be integral to the implementation of the national strategy as administrators of health and social safety net services and drivers of the programs, policies and physical environments that shape social infrastructure

On May 2, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a Surgeon General’s Advisory entitled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” highlighting the growing number of individuals in the U.S. that are experiencing loneliness, isolation, and disconnection.

The Advisory defines social connection as the number, variety, and quality of relationships and interactions and the ability of these interactions to meet your needs. The Advisory reports that social isolation among older adults accounts for an estimated $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually, which can be attributed to increased hospital and nursing facility spending. Loneliness and social isolation is now more widespread than other health issues like smoking, obesity and diabetes.

Data cited in the advisory point to detrimental consequences of this epidemic on our health, citing that individuals with poor social connection are:  

  • 29 percent more at risk for coronary heart disease,  
  • 32 percent more at risk of stroke,  
  • 50 percent more at risk of developing dementia in older adults,  
  • 2 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety, and  
  • more at risk of diabetes and premature death.  

In addition to the advisory, the Surgeon General laid out a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, the first of its kind to outline recommendations for all levels of governments, workplaces, health systems, community organizations and individuals on how to strengthen relationships and build connection.

Promoting social connectedness has tangible impacts across nearly every county sector – fostering healthier, more resilient, safer, economically prosperous, civically engaged communities. The national strategy has important implications for county governments, who will be integral to the implementation of this national strategy as administrators of health and social safety net services and drivers of the programs, policies, and physical environments that shape social infrastructure.   

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

  • Basic page

    Mental Health First Aid

    Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleague
    page

    <h3><strong>WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?</strong></h3>

  • Basic page

    Healthy Counties Initiative

    Healthy Counties focuses on enhancing: public-private partnerships in local health delivery, access to, and coordination of, care for vulnerable populations in the community and community public health and behavioral health programs.
    page

    <h3>Healthy Counties focuses on enhancing:</h3>

  • Basic page

    Live Healthy U.S. Counties

    The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.
    page

    <h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>

  • Reports & Toolkits

    Opioid Solutions Center

    NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
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    12
    3:30 pm
    Reports & Toolkits

    <p>NACo&#39;s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.

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