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U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, and the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community

In a new Surgeon General’s Advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warns about the public health crisis that loneliness, isolation, and disconnection pose to the American public. Loneliness and isolation are widespread, with approximately half of U.S. adults experiencing loneliness. Disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Strengthening the social fabric of our communities is essential in order to improve the health of people and communities and must be a national priority. Addressing loneliness is as vital to protecting our health as addressing obesity, tobacco, or addiction. The Surgeon General’s Advisory lays out lays out a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, which has never been done before in the United States. It includes six pillars detailing recommendations that individuals, governments, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations can take to increase connection in their lives, communities, and across the country. By strengthening our relationships, increasing connection, and rebuilding the social fabric of our nation, we can improve the health of people across the country. More

Loneliness Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic and measures aimed at its mitigation, such as physical distancing, have been discussed as risk factors for loneliness, which increases the risk of premature mortality and mental and physical health conditions. To ascertain whether loneliness has increased since the start of the pandemic, this study aimed to narratively and statistically synthesize relevant high-quality primary studies. To figure out whether the pandemic actually increased loneliness, the researchers reviewed 34 studies from four continents—primarily in North America and Europe—involving more than 200,000 total participants. All of the data came from long-term studies that measured participants’ levels of loneliness before the onset of the pandemic and again during the pandemic. The researchers found a small but significant increase in loneliness during the pandemic—about a 5 percent increase in the prevalence of loneliness across the individual studies, on average. However, not all groups experienced that increase. More research is needed on the factors that put some individuals and groups at higher risk of experiencing loneliness, whether the changes in loneliness were primarily due to alterations in the quality or the quantity of people’s social interactions, and whether those differed across subpopulations, such as students and older adults. Such studies could help researchers develop better targeted interventions to increase people’s amount of social interaction or to improve the quality of their close relationships. More

The prevalence of loneliness across 113 countries: systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify data availability, gaps, and patterns for population level prevalence of loneliness globally, to summarise prevalence estimates within World Health Organization regions when feasible through meta-analysis, and to examine temporal trends of loneliness in countries where data exist. It found that problematic levels of loneliness are experienced by a substantial proportion of the population in many countries. The substantial difference in data coverage between high income countries (particularly Europe) and low and middle income countries raised an important equity issue. Evidence on the temporal trends of loneliness is insufficient. The findings of this meta-analysis are limited by data scarcity and methodological heterogeneity. Loneliness should be incorporated into general health surveillance with broader geographical and age coverage, using standardised and validated measurement tools. More

Why is it important to support social connections?

It has been shown that sustained social connections can increase life satisfaction and wellbeing. In older people, social isolation and loneliness are associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes. An expert community from the UK, comprised of the Government and its agencies, the health and social care sectors, charities and academia were invited to come together for a co-development workshop to identify research questions of interest to both the policy and the research communities. Participants identified three big challenges in this space and three research questions that could help sustain and increase social connections. More

Loneliness in Europe before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization first described COVID-19 as a pandemic. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, lockdowns, quarantines, curfews, distancing measures and the cancellation of community activities and events have been implemented across Europe. While these measures were needed to control the spread of the virus, they have also led to forms of social isolation never experienced by present generations. The long-term effects on mental health are still unclear. However, experts have already warned that the toll of loneliness could have consequences long after the virus recedes. Against this background, loneliness is increasingly recognised as an issue of public importance, with significant ramifications for social, economic and healthcare policies. This policy brief compares the incidence of loneliness in 2016 and during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to identify the socio-demographic characteristics frequently linked with loneliness, and examine whether the risks factors associated with loneliness changed after the outbreak of the pandemic. Therefore, this analysis contributes to assess the potential consequences for the population of extended periods of forced social isolation. The ultimate goal is to support the design of targeted and effective intervention strategies. More

UN Decade of Healthy Ageing advocacy brief: social isolation and loneliness among older people

This advocacy brief on social isolation and loneliness among older people highlights the growing public health and policy concern about these issues, which have been made more salient by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jointly published by the World Health Organization, the International Telecommunications Union, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and UN Women, the brief summarizes the scale, impact, and harms of social isolation and loneliness among older people, and outlines what can be done to reduce them. This brief also describes several policy windows that offer opportunities for addressing social isolation and loneliness among older people and proposes a three-point global strategy for tackling these issues. More

Loneliness in the EU: Insights from surveys and online media data

Research shows that loneliness and social isolation have harmful repercussions on mental and physical health, as well as significant consequences on social cohesion and community trust. Both loneliness and social isolation are hence increasingly recognized critical public health issues that deserve attention and need to be addressed with effective intervention strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has also dramatically reshaped Europeans’ lives and social practices. Mobility restrictions and social distancing measures adopted to contain the spread of the virus prompted public discussions on the unintended side effects of such provisions. This report offers an overview of the current state of knowledge on loneliness and social isolation in the EU. It presents the main findings of two empirical analyses carried out by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre using two complementary sources of information, namely survey and online data. The analysis based on survey data offers a picture of recent trends in self-reported levels of loneliness across the EU and identifies the prevailing socio-demographic and geographical characteristics associated with loneliness before and during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey data show that the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the problem. The proportion of respondents that felt lonely frequently doubled following the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, young adults were hit more severely. The analysis based on online data looks at trends in online media reporting on loneliness and social isolation between January 2018 and January 2021. The analysis of online media reporting catalogues also typologies and examples of policy initiatives aimed at combating loneliness and social isolation. Public initiatives vary across Member States. Overall, most interventions are designed at local level and are rarely part of more systematic programmes. More

Loneliness beyond Covid-19: Learning the lessons of the pandemic for an uncertain future

Loneliness beyond Covid-19 is the biggest ever review of the impact of COVID-19 on UK loneliness and what we can expect in future, which found that although restrictions on social contact during lockdown were universal, people had very different experiences of loneliness. The report found that COVID-19 exacerbated existing inequalities, meaning that groups already at risk of loneliness – such as those who were poorer, in worse health or from ethnic minorities or LGBTQ+ communities – were at greater risk during the pandemic. We also saw that if you were already lonely before the pandemic, you were likely to become even more lonely. More

Ending Loneliness Together in Australia

Ending Loneliness Together in Australia is the first White Paper to address loneliness in Australia. This White Paper highlights the severity of loneliness in Australia. Through robust evidence-based research, the paper presents loneliness as it is - a serious public health issue with serious implications to the Australian economy and society. The impact of loneliness on Australian communities across the lifespan is significant and economically costly. This report brings together scientists, industry, and policy makers, together to outline the prevalence of loneliness, and how it affects different vulnerable communities. It highlights three key facts about loneliness, makes three key recommendations and raises five calls to action. More

Promising Approaches Revisited: Effective action on loneliness in later life

With the case for action on loneliness now accepted, this updated guide sets out what action is needed. Drawing on the expertise and experience of leading figures in the field, academic literature and other evidence, we present an update to the first framework published in 2015, in which we showcase new approaches and examples, and update existing ones. The framework helps to make sense of the different ways we can address loneliness, and explains how these approaches fit together to create an effective community response. The guide offers examples of these approaches in action so that organisations can find inspiration from others. The guide is intended to: help commissioners and funders of services who support older people – including adult social care, health commissioners and public health teams – to identify the gaps in provisions in their communities; support service providers to deliver more effective loneliness interventions; and shape future research to increase our understanding of loneliness, and how to address it. More

The Psychology of Loneliness: Why it matters and what we can do

This report brings together the research with views and experiences of older people, policy makers, and organisations who work with older people. Understanding the ‘internal’ experience of loneliness and how we can respond to it has never been more relevant. We know a lot about the factors that can lead to older people feeling isolated and excluded and the life events that can contribute or trigger loneliness in later life. But we know less about the ‘internal’ factors that can shape someone’s experience of loneliness and cause loneliness to become more severe. Launching this report during the Coronavirus pandemic, we recognise the profound impact it has had on our social behaviour and ability to connect with people and our environment. Understanding the ‘internal’ experience of loneliness and how we can respond to it has never been more relevant. More

Taking Action on Social Inclusion of Older People: Successes and Lessons Learned

This publication reports on the successes and lessons learned from the three-year project "Taking Action on Social Inclusion of Older People", supported by the European Union, Austrian Development Agency and Austrian Red Cross. The project was implemented in five countries of the Western Balkans: Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of North Macedonia and Montenegro, coordinated by the Red Cross of Serbia. The objective of the project was building capacity of civil society organisations working on different aspects of demographic ageing (research, public advocacy, promotional campaigns, community based services…) as well as motivating older people themselves to take part in the processes of decision making and policy creation in relation to social inclusion of older women and men at regional and local level in the Western Balkans countries. This publication is also available in the following languages: Serbian, Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian and Montenegro. More

Cochrane Campbell Global Ageing Partnership

Cochrane has been producing systematic reviews about health and health care for over 25 years and has had an official relationship with WHO for the past 10 years. Cochrane Campbell Global Ageing Partnership will build on this relationship and continue to work with WHO to address the need for age appropriate systematic reviews and evidence synthesis methods that reflect both the multidisciplinary nature and diversity of ageing worldwide. Twitter: @CCGlobalAgeing More

HelsinkiMissio

HelsinkiMissio is a politically and religiously non-aligned social organization that challenges Finns to take action against loneliness. We work with both professionals and volunteers to reduce the feeling of loneliness among children, young people, seniors and special groups. Our values ​​are humanity, expertise, respect and curiosity. We reduce loneliness. We increase well-being. We face with compassion. More

Campaign to End Loneliness

We’ve been experts in the field of loneliness and connection since 2011. We share research, evidence and knowledge with thousands of other organisations and the public to make a difference to older people’s lives. Building the evidence: we develop new evidence and synthesise existing evidence to create practical resources that answer key questions on loneliness. We gather together and offer to policy makers and practitioners the latest evidence on loneliness and isolation. We draw on research through our Research and Policy Hub which engages academics and specialists from across the world. With these academic partners, we work to make new research as relevant and practical as possible for organisations that are working directly to support people experiencing loneliness, or making commissioning decisions. Convening and supporting the loneliness community: we bring together a community of practice, learning and insight among organisations working on this issue. We aim to support this community to share expertise, knowledge and experience. The Campaign to End Loneliness offers organisations who want to tackle loneliness the latest research, opportunities to meet through events, and regular information to share the motivation and momentum behind this issue. Making the case for action: much of our time is spent campaigning - communicating with, convincing and persuading those who make choices about health and care spending to tackle and prevent loneliness. We provide a strong voice to commissioners of services and activities at a local and national level through our media wok and through providing practical tools an resources to help others reduce loneliness in their work. More

Ending Loneliness Together

Ending Loneliness Together is the leading authority in addressing loneliness in Australia. It is made up of a national network of organisations who have come together to address the emerging problem of loneliness in people living in Australia. More

Togetherness Hub

The Togetherness Hub represents the first international & interdisciplinary community platform, which unites global thought leaders, researchers and projects on social health, loneliness interventions & the future of human connection for all age groups in an interactive setting. More

The GenWell Project

The GenWell Project, a registered Canadian nonprofit organization, is a grassroots Global Human Connection Movement whose mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place by educating people about the importance of face-to-face social connection as a proactive step we can all take for our health, happiness, and longevity, as well as for those around us. We share information, research, tips, tools and motivation through our social channels and our website, to help people create healthy connection habits starting today, and we activate around two weekends a year, in the spring and fall, when we want to be the catalyst that gives people permission to reach out and get connected face-to-face with family, friends, neighbours, classmates and colleagues. More

Loneliness New Zealand Charitable Trust

Loneliness New Zealand Charitable Trust is a nationally-focused charity dedicated to conquering loneliness across the entire population and all demographic groups in New Zealand. Our vision is for New Zealanders to have improved wellbeing and life satisfaction with high meaningful social connectedness amongst ourselves, in our various communities. We are members of the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection, comprised of national organizations committed to end the pressing global issues of loneliness and social isolation. More

Foundation for Social Connection

The Foundation for Social Connection is a not for profit organization located in Washington, D.C. in the United States of America. Through its scientific advisory council and innovation accelerator the Foundation for Social Connection works to advance the evidence base surrounding social isolation, loneliness, and social connection. Further, the Foundation for Social Connection collaborates with the United States federal government, state governments, business, and other not for profit and community-based organizations to facilitate the development of evidence-based interventions that promote social connection. More

Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness

The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness engages in a variety of areas in order to advance its mission; these areas include, but are not limited to, disseminating research findings, developing and advocating for federal and state legislative and regulatory policy interventions, and leading public awareness efforts and events in Washington, DC as well as across the United States. More

Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection

The Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC) is comprised of representatives of national organizations committed to addressing the pressing global issues of loneliness and social isolation and to support the dissemination of system-wide, national approaches to building social connection. More

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)

OATS from AARP helps older adults learn to use and leverage technology to transform their lives and their communities. Through its flagship program, Senior Planet, OATS works closely with older adults to create extraordinary experiences in-person and online. More

Loneliness Awareness Week

Loneliness Awareness Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. It's all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends or colleagues about loneliness. Loneliness is a natural human emotion - we are hardwired to need social connections. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others. More

Social Isolation and Loneliness: Weekly Research Reports

This weekly research report, delivered via email and also available via a dedicated webpage, is compiled by the Foundation for Social Connection’s Social Isolation and Loneliness Workgroup (SILWG). Each week, the Workgroup brings together the latest publications, events, and research on the general topic of social isolation and loneliness, including but not limited to older people. The compiled information is generally sourced from the academic / research sector. More

Dreamlike Neighbourhood

Due to demo­graphic change and individuali­sation in our society, more and more older people are living alone or in nursing homes, often without any relatives or with relatives that live far away. Older people in particular benefit from local non-family networks with friends and neigh­bours. These enable sociability and promote a sense of belonging. Many studies confirm that older people with positive relation­­ships feel better and are healthier. Dream­like Neigh­bour­hood facilitates neigh­bour­hood groups, where older people meet regularly and support each other in (re-)detecting and bringing in their talents, ful­filling their dreams, facing challenges of every­day life and finding ways to actively contribute to their communities. More

Aging Connected

Aging Connected is a national (US), cross-sector campaign to bridge the digital divide and help older adults access essential public health information, social services, online community, and more through affordable, accessible internet. It is powered by Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and the Humana Foundation. By connecting with affordable, underutilized internet offerings in their area, older Americans will be able to better participate in basic life activities — from shopping and communicating with loved ones, to managing personal health and finances. More