America has a new epidemic. It can’t be treated using traditional therapies even though it has debilitating and even deadly consequences.

The problem seeping in at the corners of our communities is loneliness and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is hoping to generate awareness and offer remedies before it claims more lives.

“Most of us probably think of loneliness as just a bad feeling,” he told USA TODAY. “It turns out that loneliness has far greater implications for our health when we struggle with a sense of social disconnection, being lonely or isolated.”

Loneliness is detrimental to mental and physical health, experts say, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke and premature death. As researchers track record levels of self-reported loneliness, public health leaders are banding together to develop a public health framework to address the epidemic.

  • 2fat4that
    link
    fedilink
    -4511 months ago

    When did we become so fucking soft? Palestinians and Ukrainians are having their homes bombed and we’re claiming an “epidemic” of loneliness???

    Loneliness is detrimental to mental and physical health, experts say, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke and premature death.

    That’s a stretch…

    • PugJesus
      link
      fedilink
      3111 months ago

      Isolation causes incredible psychological harm. That others are suffering does not eliminate problems at home. Other countries starving does not negate some countries having obesity problems. It’s not a contest. It’s a question of addressing problems.

      That’s a stretch…

      It’s not exactly news that mental health can have extremely detrimental effects on physical health?

    • @Crowfiend
      link
      1711 months ago

      Aptly said, by someone whose never understood why people can’t “just be happy.”

    • RedFox
      link
      fedilink
      1011 months ago

      Yeah, I get it. Hard people make good times, good times make soft people, soft people make hard times…I’m there a little.

      But…I I also very much agree that poor mental health leads to lots of physical issues. I live In a first world country, survived a war, and have gone from dont be soft to understanding people’s issues aren’t made up.

      You might ask someone who struggles if you want to really understand.