Surgeon General warns of loneliness as a public health crisis.

The US surgeon general has declared loneliness a public health epidemic, with half of US adults experiencing it. The crisis has worsened during the pandemic, with people spending less time with friends and family. Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30%, with those with poor social relationships also having a greater risk of stroke and heart disease. The surgeon general is calling on workplaces, schools, technology companies, community organizations, parents, and other people to make changes that will boost the country’s connectedness. Technology has rapidly exacerbated the loneliness problem, with social media driving the increase in loneliness in particular.