The Why
Research Validates the Importance of Social Connectedness to Health
Humans are social creatures who have a fundamental need to connect with others. Fulfilling this need is so important that our level of social connectedness influences nearly every aspect of our lives, including our psychological well-being, physical health, and even how long we live.
Research today points to a huge surge in the lack of social connectedness among Americans and that dangerous levels of social isolation and loneliness are at hand. In 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, found about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. In 2024, he declared it a problem of epidemic proportion, an urgent public health concern, and initiated a call to action.
The research provided within this section will provide context around the value of social connectedness to health, the psychosocial, physiological, and economic detriments of social isolation and loneliness, and the current movements to mitigate these challenges and risks, by improving social health through legislation, technology and investments. Through this knowledge, you will gain a deeper insight into the Mission of the Thoughtful Engagement Program.
- 2024 Research on Social Health and Industry Movements
This document provides research defining Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), statistics related to the health dangers of social isolation and loneliness, and movements taking place to mitigate these challenges and risks by improvements in social health.
- 2023 U.S Surgeon General Social Connection Advisory and The Social Isolation and Loneliness Epidemic
This document shares a rare U.S. Surgeon General Public Advisory regarding the state of social health today and an urgent call for public action.
- 75-Year On-going Harvard Study On Adult Development and Longevity (YouTube Ted Talk)
Robert Waldinger, current Head of the above named Harvard Study, shares via Ted Talk the results on what keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life: “Social connectedness is really good for us and loneliness kills.”