Tag: lonliness

Via Mercola

Story at-a-glance

• U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has published an advisory on the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation
• Between 2003 and 2020, the time the average American spent with friends decreased by two-thirds, time spent in social engagements dropped by one-third, and time spent in isolation rose by 17%
• People who feel socially disconnected experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide. Being socially disconnected also impacts your mortality similarly to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and the mortality risk rises even higher with obesity and inactivity
• 21% of people reported “severe loneliness” during 2020 compared to just 6% prior to the pandemic. Another survey found that while social isolation decreased from the first to the second year of the pandemic, loneliness still increased. This suggests that when you break down the social fabric and don’t allow for organic social interactions, it has long-lasting consequences
• While Murthy does a good job detailing the extent of these problems, he completely ignores the fact that the U.S. government bears a huge responsibility for worsening the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation by enacting inhumane COVID rules and restrictions that all basically criminalized human-to-human contact and social interactions of all kinds, even among family members

In early May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published an advisory¹ on the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the advisory is “part of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to address mental health”² by raising awareness. No federal funding has been allocated to address it, however. In the report, Murthy cites data showing:

Continue reading “Authorities Admit Loneliness Epidemic but Shun Responsibility”

Via Marketwatch

You’re not alone if you’re feeling lonely.

Nearly half of Americans are lonely, according to a survey of 20,000 people across America by Cigna, which used the well-regarded UCLA Loneliness Scale to measure responses. Indeed 46% said they sometimes or always feel alone and 47% say they sometimes or always feel left out.

And that finding is mirrored by other studies, which reveal that anywhere from 20% to 43% of Americans feel lonely or socially isolated, NPR reports. And a study published last year in the journal International Psychogeriatrics found that as many as three in four people might be lonely.

Of course, levels of loneliness can fluctuate throughout your life, and there are certain factors that can help predict loneliness. Here are four:

Continue reading “Once you hit this age, you’re far more likely to feel lonely”

Via Marketwatch

Are you lonely? If so, you are not alone.

A recent survey of 20,000 U.S. adults found that nearly half of people suffer from feelings of loneliness. The evaluation of loneliness was measured by an often-used score of 43 or higher on the University of California, Los Angeles “Loneliness Scale,” a 20-item questionnaire developed to measure feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Loneliness is both a health issue and a social issue and, often times, subjective. “We view a person’s physical, mental and social health as being entirely connected,” David Cordani, president and chief executive officer of Cigna, said in a statement. “We’re seeing a lack of human connection, which ultimately leads to a lack of vitality,” he said, “or a disconnect between mind and body.”

Continue reading “Lifting the veil on America’s loneliness epidemic”