The report says about 50% of American adults report experiencing loneliness, even before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic led to mass shutdowns and social distancing.
The report says the pandemic exacerbated the crisis, with people ages 15 to 24 spending 70% less time with friends during that time.
The problems of isolation also are costly, the report says. It’s estimated that $6.7 billion in excess Medicare costs go to older adults, largely because of increased hospital and nursing facility spending. Absenteeism at workplaces from stress-related issues caused by loneliness costs employers about $154 billion each year, the report says.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking, surgeon general saysAbout half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, Dr. Vivek Murthy said in an 81-page report from his office.
Read more »
Loneliness Poses Health Risks as Deadly as Smoking, Surgeon General Says - WAKA 8Loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to a dozen cigarettes daily, the U.S. surgeon general said as he declared a public health epidemic.
Read more »
Loneliness poses profound public health threat, surgeon general saysLoneliness presents a profound public health threat akin to smoking and obesity, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy warned in an advisory issued Tuesday that aims to rally Americans to spend more time with each other.
Read more »
Surgeon General Declares Public Health Epidemic Over LonelinessThe US Surgeon General warned loneliness causes health problems similar to smoking cigarettes and that COVID-19 and technology have worsened loneliness in America. See potential bias and similarities in coverage from dcexaminer, BBCWorld, and AP:
Read more »
Loneliness as deadly as smoking: Surgeon generalLoneliness presents health dangers as deadly as chronic smoking,Surgeon_General Vivek Murthy warned. Calling it an 'epidemic of loneliness and isolation,' Murthy's office released a health advisory about human need for social connection and community.
Read more »
Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking: surgeon generalThe U.S. surgeon general says loneliness poses health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually
Read more »