A Former Surgeon General Thinks America Could Be Facing A Loneliness Epidemic

What’s the biggest health problem facing our country? Obesity, heart problems and drug abuse all seem obvious answers, but the reality may not be so straightforward. Loneliness can be difficult to see, but it is nonetheless a devastating health problem.

And loneliness has become more prevalent in recent years. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former surgeon general of the United States, has been writing about what he calls a loneliness epidemic.

So why shine a light on loneliness? Murthy says the condition, often ignored as impacting health, is stigmatized despite studies indicating that it can have negative impacts on health.

“Loneliness in fact is associated with a significant reduction in our lifespan – a reduction that is comparable to that of smoking fifteen cigarettes a day,” Murthy says.

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