Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking

Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking – surgeon general

By Associated Press

May 03, 2023 9:31 am

WASHINGTON D.C.: Widespread loneliness in the US poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the US surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic.

About half of US adults say they've experienced loneliness, Dr. Vivek Murthy said in an 81-page report from his office.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2022, on youth mental health care. Widespread loneliness in the U.S. is posing health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. About half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, Murthy said in a new, 81-page report from his office. AP Photo/Susan Wals

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