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

MAHA Commission releases federal strategy outlining next steps in childhood chronic disease prevention
On September 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s new Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, following the earlier MAHA Report published in May 2025. The strategy builds on the assessment’s findings regarding four key drivers of childhood chronic disease: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress and overmedicalization.

CMS releases details on the Rural Health Transformation Program
On September 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional details on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, overviewing program goals, requirements and timelines.

Counties encouraged to apply for newly established HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee
On August 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of a new Healthcare Advisory Committee, aimed at providing expert guidance on pressing healthcare challenges. This new committee represents an important opportunity for counties to have a voice in shaping federal healthcare policy.