Dear Friends,

We have reached the time of year that can lead to the winter blues or a sense of isolation and loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has issued an advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community to keep these conditions at bay.

We have always known that humans are social creatures and ongoing connection is as vital to our survival as water, food, and shelter. However, his report reveals that the consequences of social isolation and loneliness are extreme:

• Lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day and presents an increased risk of death by as much as 29%.

• Poor social relationships (social isolation, poor social support, and loneliness) are associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke.

• Immune response may be reduced when exposed to infectious disease for people who are less socially connected.

• Chronic loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of developing dementia by 50% in older adults.

• Among children and adolescents, loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

The good news is that these things can be mitigated through social connections! In this issue of Purpose, we discuss some of the community events that we sponsored and the ways that we use our resources to bring people together. I am thrilled to share that CCI’s existing efforts amplify the aims of pillars 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 found in the Surgeon General’s advisory (see right). The events and education plans for 2024 continue to build on this practice, and we are motivated by the Surgeon General’s report to do even more.

Sincerely,

Sonya Bruton, Psy.D., MPA CEO & President CCI Health Services

The Six Pillars to Advance SOCIAL CONNECTION

1

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

• Design the built environment to promote social connection

• Estabilsh and scale community connection programs

• Invest in local institutions that bring people together

2

ENACT PRO-CONNECTION PUBLIC POLICIES

• Adopt a “Connection-in-AllPolicies” approach

• Advance policies that minimize harm from disconnection

• Establish cross departmental leadership at all levels of government

3

MOBILIZE THE HEALTH SECTOR

• Train health care providers

• Assess and support patients

• Expand public health surveillance and interventions

4

REFORM DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS

• Require data transparency

• Establish and implement safety standards

• Support development of pro-connection technologies

5

DEEPEN OUR KNOWLEDGE

• Develop and coordinate a national research agenda

• Accelerate research funding

• Increase public awareness

6

BUILD A CULTURE OF CONNECTION

• Cultivate values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another

• Model connection values in positions of leadership and influence

• Expand conversation on social connection in schools, workplaces, and communities