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

Blaire Bryant
Upcoming Events
Related News

Key Takeaways
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
Featured Initiative
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
(2023-2024) Counties increasingly handle direct mental health service. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing developed reports and united county leaders to address the mental health crisis through key policy priorities.

Related News

CMS announces grant awards to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals
On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

SAMHSA releases new 2024 data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.
On July 28, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the findings of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level.

Congress introduces bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health care access and funding
Rural communities face unique health care challenges, from provider shortages to funding disparities. To address these concerns, the U.S. Senate recently introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at improving rural health care access and funding: the Rural Health Focus Act and the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act.