Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad

And so there was some data that was released not too long ago that is from 2003 to 2020. And what we see is significant increases in time spent in isolation, significant decreases in time spent with family, both household and non-household family, time spent with friends, time spent with others, and time spent in companionship.

And so there was some data that was released not too long ago that is from 2003 to 2020. And what we see is significant increases in time spent in isolation, significant decreases in time spent with family, both household and non-household family, time spent with friends, time spent with others, and time spent in companionship.

And when you look at the age breakdown, one of the most dramatic reductions is you can see in the young Um, category from 2003. So over the past 20 years, uh, uh, young people, there has been a dramatic drop in time spent with friends.

And when you look at the age breakdown, one of the most dramatic reductions is you can see in the young Um, category from 2003. So over the past 20 years, uh, uh, young people, there has been a dramatic drop in time spent with friends.

And that started well before the pandemic, so going back 20 years. And so it does raise concerns about kind of where we are at in these trends, what led to these trends, and where we're going in the future. And is there reason to believe that these trends will reverse, or are they going to continue to get worse?

And that started well before the pandemic, so going back 20 years. And so it does raise concerns about kind of where we are at in these trends, what led to these trends, and where we're going in the future. And is there reason to believe that these trends will reverse, or are they going to continue to get worse?

So there are studies that have shown some gender differences, but when you look overall, so when meta-analyses take into account all the different studies, the differences are essentially zero. So that doesn't mean that we experience it the same, but rather the prevalence rates are equivalent.

So there are studies that have shown some gender differences, but when you look overall, so when meta-analyses take into account all the different studies, the differences are essentially zero. So that doesn't mean that we experience it the same, but rather the prevalence rates are equivalent.

Yeah. So one of the things I want to make clear is there's nothing about someone's race that makes them more prone to, to isolation or loneliness. It's rather the conditions that they may face.

Yeah. So one of the things I want to make clear is there's nothing about someone's race that makes them more prone to, to isolation or loneliness. It's rather the conditions that they may face.

Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, um, you may face more, um, uh, discrimination, you may face more, um, kind of systemic kinds of barriers. that need to be considered. You also mentioned migration.

Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, um, you may face more, um, uh, discrimination, you may face more, um, kind of systemic kinds of barriers. that need to be considered. You also mentioned migration.

So that is something that is one of the explanations for why perhaps we are even seeing these high prevalence rates in low and middle income countries is that we're seeing due to economic situations that often younger generations are migrating and leaving their area of origin to seek out economic opportunities, which often leave the older generation behind.

So that is something that is one of the explanations for why perhaps we are even seeing these high prevalence rates in low and middle income countries is that we're seeing due to economic situations that often younger generations are migrating and leaving their area of origin to seek out economic opportunities, which often leave the older generation behind.

And then there's, of course, when you are now displaced from your network, that can also have impacts on the younger generation. So these life changes, systemic kinds of barriers, particularly associated with marginalization and

And then there's, of course, when you are now displaced from your network, that can also have impacts on the younger generation. So these life changes, systemic kinds of barriers, particularly associated with marginalization and

Yeah, so I served as the lead scientific editor on the US Surgeon General's Advisory on this topic. And one thing I should note is that it does more than just kind of raise the alarm bells or provide the evidence on why this is something that is a major health concern, but it also provides a framework and a framework for a national strategy, as well as detailed recommendations

Yeah, so I served as the lead scientific editor on the US Surgeon General's Advisory on this topic. And one thing I should note is that it does more than just kind of raise the alarm bells or provide the evidence on why this is something that is a major health concern, but it also provides a framework and a framework for a national strategy, as well as detailed recommendations

across different kinds of recommendations for the health care sector, for the tech sector, for government. But it also provides recommendations for individuals, for parents. So I would highly recommend that. And that is something that is freely available online. I do know that the report is a little bit long, but if you go to the end, that's where you find all of the recommendations.

across different kinds of recommendations for the health care sector, for the tech sector, for government. But it also provides recommendations for individuals, for parents. So I would highly recommend that. And that is something that is freely available online. I do know that the report is a little bit long, but if you go to the end, that's where you find all of the recommendations.