Strong social connections can lessen loneliness

America has a loneliness epidemic. You may have read this somewhere or heard it mentioned in recent years, but what does it mean?

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” The Surgeon General uses advisories for significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action, meaning loneliness poses a considerable threat to Americans’ health and wellness.

Researchers using data from VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) have identified results in line with this advisory: Reducing loneliness may decrease the risk for depressive illness.

The effects of loneliness and social isolation on your physical and mental well-being are serious. Here are some of the highlights from the advisory:

• Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 50% of adults in America reported experiencing loneliness.
• Lacking social connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
• Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of premature death than obesity or physical inactivity.
• Loneliness has a tough effect on your mental health and your physical health. Higher levels of loneliness are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease, 32% increased risk of stroke and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia in older adults.

Just as the negative effects of social isolation can be serious, so can the positive effects of social connection. Having solid social relationships, feeling like a part of a community, and participating in social activities are all incredible ways to both combat the negative effects of isolation and reap the benefits of connection.

How to build social connection

• Invest time in your relationships. Call a battle buddy, get coffee with a friend or check in with a family member.
• Engage in opportunities to support or participate in your local community, like volunteering with community service groups, joining a gym or run club, or participating in a religious or professional community.
• Reduce things that can make you feel more disconnected from others, like spending excessive amounts of time on social media or in front of a screen.
• Ask for help when you need it. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, let someone know. Reach out to a friend, family member, health care practitioner or the Veterans Crisis line by calling 988 or texting 838255.
• Find activities that make you feel connected to your social and physical network, like spending time with friends in nature. Did you know that Veterans can get a free lifetime pass to America’s National Parks? Visit nps.gov/planyourvisit to learn more.

Learn more about MVP’s research

MVP studies how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures affect health and wellness. This research is building the path to more personalized health care for Veterans.

You can learn more about MVP’s research into the following and other areas:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance use disorders
• Suicide prevention
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

This research is made possible by more than 1,000,000 Veterans who have already signed up for MVP. Join their ranks by signing up today, either online or by calling 866-441-6075, to make an appointment at a participating VA facility. You don’t need to receive your care at VA to participate.