Everyone Says Social Media Is Bad for Teens. Proving It Is Another It details recommendations that individuals, governments, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations can take to increase connection in their lives, communities, and across the country and improve their health. Previously, she was a parenting reporter, general assignment reporter and copy editor at The Times. Outside the United States, many governments have equivalent positions but do not make use of the same title. Earlier this month, he released a Surgeon Generals Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, where he outlined the profound health consequences of social disconnection and laid out six pillars to increase connection across the country, one of which being the need to reform our digital environments. Leadership | HHS.gov A Surgeon General's Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people's attention to an urgent public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Psychological research shows that young people mature at different rates, with some more vulnerable than others to the content and features on many social media platforms. Pennsylvania created the position of "physician general" in 1996. And with more than one in five adults and more than one in three young adults living with a mental illness in the U.S., addressing loneliness and isolation is critical in order to fully address the mental health crisis in America. Suicide rates increase after 2 years of decline, with disparities widening, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The American Academy of Family Physicians commends the Surgeon General for identifying this risk for America's youth and joins our colleagues across the health care community in equipping young people and their families with the resources necessary to live healthy, balanced lives. Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., MPH, MBA, FAAFP, President, American Academy of Family Physicians, Todays children and teens do not know a world without digital technology, but the digital world wasnt built with childrens healthy mental development in mind. During the Obama administration, Dr. Vivek Murthy became the first person of Indian descent to become the surgeon. How Companies Can Help Cure The Loneliness Epidemic - Forbes Floyd Hutchison The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. @cdcaron, A version of this article appears in print on, How to Feel Less Lonely, According to the Surgeon General, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/well/mind/loneliness-isolation-surgeon-general.html. He issued an advisory in May to draw attention to social medias impacts on youth mental health. Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) | HHS.gov Treatment requires complex medical care, nutritional support and therapy, but theres no in-state eating disorder treatment center, she said. Liu said that the longer a person is disconnected, the easier it is for them to stop believing that others have their interests in mind or that it's possible to find common cause. If we overshoot, were overshooting with regard to protecting our youth.. We dont have to be somebody else. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Michigan had their first surgeon general in 2003, followed by Arkansas and . Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States as a returning role. And that's why a national strategy is so important.. Its a normal part of the human experience and loneliness, in many ways, is like hunger or thirst, Murthy said. Recent research shows half of U.S. adults experienced loneliness daily. This is an incredible burden on our community, Huppert said, adding that more services are needed to support the challenges young Alaskans are facing. What every person needs to find is the right mix for them of ways of feeling connected.. Part of this is recognizing that there are real health consequences. The surgeon generals outline noted recent surveys show some of the highest rates of loneliness are among young adults, and rates are increasing annually since 1976. The U.S. surgeon general is nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. For more information about the Office of the Surgeon General, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities. "In the last few decades, we've just lived through a dramatic pace of change. 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. An epidemic of loneliness is plaguing Americans, jeopardizing well-being, health and sense of belonging. The disorders have the highest mortality rates of any mental health condition, with many deaths due to suicide, she said. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and U.S. For more information about the Office of the Surgeon General, please visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities. If any of you came to me right now and said, My daughter or my child needs mental health care, I would call for hours trying to find you care, and yet were one of the biggest providers in the state of Alaska., [Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking, surgeon general warns]. The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as US surgeon general, a role he had held under the Obama administration and reprises during a key chapter in the Biden administration's . (Bill Roth / ADN). The evidence has been mounting for decades in terms of documenting the significant consequences to our health and well-being, said the lead scientific author on the surgeon generals report, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who has studied the effects of loneliness on health for years. surgeon general of the United States - Encyclopedia Britannica Being with other people, even people who are strangers, is really important for a sense of social connection and for a sense of well-being and, in a sense, that life is meaningful. Defence Medical Services - GOV.UK While the epidemic of loneliness and isolation is widespread and has profound consequences for our individual and collective health and well-being, there is a medicine hiding in plain sight: social connection. "That's why sometimes it takes a little time to really reflect on what's happening in our life. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Rose said social media is contributing to the rates, affecting kids as young as 9 or 10 who sign up for accounts saying theyre 13, the minimum age for most social media sites. Evidence shows that increased connection can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression. Murthy recently wrote an op-ed talking about his own experiences with loneliness and has published a book on social connection and reducing loneliness. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Urges Action to Ensure Social Media Environments are Healthy and Safe, as Previously-Advised National Youth Mental Health Crisis Continues, Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon Generals Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis one that we must urgently address.. Strengthening social infrastructure, which includes things like parks and libraries as well as public programs. One-third or more of girls aged 11-15 say they feel addicted to certain social media platforms and over half of teenagers report that it would be hard to give up social media. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Providence system in Alaska has many services to support behavioral health, but the pediatric medical units are overwhelmed, and patients are waiting days to receive the right care, she said. Studies have also shown a relationship between social media use and poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, sleep difficulties, and depression among youth. The report cites recent research showing that approximately half of U.S. adults experienced loneliness daily, even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To get started, take 15 minutes each day to contact a friend or a relative. Moreover, three of the U.S. military services have their own surgeon general, namely the Surgeon General of the United States Army, Surgeon General of the United States Navy, and Surgeon General of the United States Air Force. Whether a person is LGBTQ+, Alaska Native or a white heterosexual, you are of equal value to our society and we need our kids to know that, he said. On Tuesday, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory detailing a framework toward . Surgeon General. Official websites use .gov And for too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. Others react to loneliness by becoming irritable and angry, and they may lash out more," he said. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily. NOTIFICATION NO: 11/MRB/2022 DATE:26.06.2023 ASSISTANT SURGEON (GENERAL) Medical Services Recruitment B oard conducted the Computer Based Examination for the post of Assistant Surgeon (General) on 25.04.2023 in 2 batches . People underestimate the degree to which this broader sense of social connection can lead to well-being.. These changes, coupled with the influx of home delivery and other changes that limit personal interactions, can leave people feeling disconnected. The physical health consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. But there is hope. The surgeon general must be appointed from individuals who are members of the regular corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and have specialized training or significant experience in public health programs. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and U.S. Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media almost constantly.. Lisa Parady, executive director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators, said there are great programs for behavioral health in the states urban school systems. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com. We need an approach to help children both on and offline that meets each child where they are while also working to make the digital spaces they inhabit safer and healthier. US surgeon general Vivek Murthy released an advisory on loneliness and isolation on Tuesday and urged people and public officials to treat the matter with the same urgency as other serious. Dr. Vivek Murthy said he was in Alaska at the invitation of Sen. Dan Sullivan to learn how Alaska is dealing with the rising rates of isolation and depression that are affecting young people nationwide. An official website of the United States government. It also notes that digital environments should be further evaluated, particularly how online interactions can potentially hinder meaningful connections. "We also know that for some kids, being online has been a way to find community at a time when many of them have not been able to," he said. Quite the opposite typically occurs, Justin Baker, the clinical director of the Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative (STRIVE) told ABC News. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said. 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Studies show that volunteering can ease feelings of loneliness and broaden our social networks. Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775, Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at, Content created by Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States, HHS Awards $31.5 Million in Behavioral Health Grants for Children, Youth and Young Adults, HHS Issues Advisory on Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Related to Long COVID, HHS Publishes National Model Standards for Substance Use, Mental Health, and Family Peer Worker Certifications, The HHS Office for Civil Rights Celebrates National Recovery Month. The way in which the surgeon general has been talking about this is that, can we be sure that its safe for our kids?, he said of social media. Imagine your phone ringing. The answer is that we don't have enough evidence to say it's safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young peoples mental health, said U.S. 2023 Anchorage Daily News. This is medically relevant, said Holt-Lunstad, founding scientific chair of the U.S. They said funding for prevention and earlier intervention is needed to stop crises from arising. Our Priorities Instead of feeling like a burden, sharing a common struggle typically brings people together and strengthens the existing relationship, Baker said. The HQ DMS is responsible for: Advising on the generation, delivery and assurance of medical operational capability for operations and fixed tasks. An epidemic of loneliness is plaguing Americans, jeopardizing well-being, health and sense of belonging. Murthy said access to mental health treatment needs to expand. [2] Andrea Palm is the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. While social media may offer some benefits, there are ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds. The advisory cites polls from the 1970s in which 45% of Americans said they could reliably trust other Americans. Murthy said social media is giving young people the misperception that their self-worth stems from factors they cant control, such as how they look or their familys net worth. Teenagers and adults reported being online almost constantly but across all ages had fewer friends and in-person interactions. We get that feeling of community, she said. "Social connections matter for our cognitive health, and the risk of social isolation is potentially modifiable for older adults," Thomas Cudjoe, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins and a senior author of the study, said in a statement. We can just truly be us.. University at Buffalo social psychologist Shira Gabriels research shows antidotes to loneliness can be found in simple places. Part of the framework includes recommendations to train clinicians to include psychosocial support as part of patients treatment plans. The answer is absolutely not. But when we dont know one another, then we fall prey to the caricatures that people put out about groups that disagree with us., And he said social isolation can reach further, making people less civically engaged in their communities. There have been increasingly loud public warnings that social media is harming teenagers' mental health most recently from the United States surgeon general adding to many . If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text 988. In the new advisory, he calls on the nation to strengthen its social fabric and to prioritize meaningful relationships. Some members of Charlottesvilles Latinx community struggle with receiving healthcare due to a language barrier. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Jun 28, 2023. Among the benefits, adolescents report that social media helps them feel more accepted (58%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), like they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and more connected to whats going on in their friends lives (80%). How often have you caught yourself looking at your phone while someone is speaking with you? In adults, the risk of developing depression among people who report feeling lonely often is more than double that of people who rarely or never feel lonely. Americans have become increasingly lonely and isolated, and this lack of social connection is having profound effects on our mental and physical health, the surgeon general warned in an advisory on Tuesday. One study found that frequently confiding in others is associated with up to 15% reduced odds of developing depression among people who are at higher risk due to a history of traumatic or adverse life experiences. In response, the advisory outlines the framework for a new national strategy. US Surgeon General calls for action regarding the ongoing 'epidemic of Communities where residents are more connected with one another fare better on several measures of population health, community safety, community resilience when natural disasters strike, prosperity, and civic engagement. Usage of social media can become harmful depending on the amount of time children spend on the platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, and the degree to which it disrupts activities that are essential for health like sleep and physical activity. Huang. (modern). A new advisory outlines how a national strategy could tackle the problem of loneliness in the United States. Surgeon General of the United States - Wikipedia When you become anxious and depressed, you also are more prone to withdraw and less likely to reach out to people, and it becomes harder to develop close relationships in many respects, Weissbourd said. 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. FY 2023 Contingency Staffing Plan; FY 2023 Budget in Brief; FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan and Report; FY 2022 Contingency Staffing Plan; . Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the problem, half of U.S. adults reported feelings of loneliness, the advisory notes. Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775, Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD), Advisory Committees, Task Forces & Initiatives, FY 2024 Annual Performance Plan and Report, FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan and Report, FY 2022 Annual Performance Plan and Report, FY 2021 Annual Performance Plan and Report, Strategic Goal 1: Protect and Strengthen Equitable Access to High Quality and Affordable Healthcare, Strategic Goal 2: Safeguard and Improve National and Global Health Conditions and Outcomes, Strategic Goal 3: Strengthen Social Well-Being, Equity, and Economic Resilience, Strategic Goal 4: Restore Trust and Accelerate Advancements in Science and Research for All, Strategic Goal 5: Advance Strategic Management to Build Trust, Transparency, and Accountability. She said some students turn to her or other peers for help, but they need support from professionals. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the . Official websites use .gov Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA | HHS.gov The most common question parents ask me is, is social media safe for my kids. Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. UVA Health is upgrading its life-saving medical helicopter, Pegasus, calling it an investment to help save lives. With fewer people interacting in community settings such as churches, synagogues, recreational sports, or more spontaneously at the grocery store, there are fewer moments to see a person for more than their surface level qualities, Murthy said. Older adults are a known population at risk of experiencing loneliness, but young adults are also suffering. Among those is to "strengthen social infrastructure" and "reform digital environments." Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Huang received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, after completing his Pre-Med undergraduate . While the U.S. surgeon general position is a tradition going back more than a century, the title of state-level surgeon general goes back only about 20 years to Pennsylvania, which established the position of "physician general" in 1996. Beth Rose, co-founder of the Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance, said theres been a steep rise in the number of people younger than 17 with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Family physicians are often the first stop for parents and families concerned about the physical and emotional health of young people in their lives, and we confront the mental health crisis among youth every day. More than half of Americans are lonely, according to a 2021 poll, which also found that young adults are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those over age 65. "Some people react to loneliness by withdrawing and getting quiet. Communities can be a key to alleviating isolation. Surgeon general - Wikipedia Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Calls for Action to Address Public Health Crisis,Lays Out Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It can make them believe over time that theyre lonely because theyre not likable or theyre not lovable. We have the responsibility to ensure social media keeps young people safe. As the Surgeon General has pointed out throughout his tenure, we all have a role to play in addressing the youth mental health crisis that we now face as a nation. Social connection is vital to a persons health and well-being, experts say, and national recognition furthers an urgent dialogue on the problem. Surgeon general is a title used in several Commonwealth countries and most NATO nations to refer either to a senior military medical officer or to a senior uniformed physician commissioned by the government and entrusted with public health responsibilities. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Even so, he said there was a lesson to be learned from reflecting on the aftermath of some policies. New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact And sometimes we need somebody else to tell us, 'Hey, you've been withdrawing more' to help us understand that we might actually be dealing with loneliness.". By taking small steps every day to strengthen our relationships, we can rise to meet this moment together And we can ensure our country and the world are better posed than ever to take on the challenges that lay ahead, Murthy said. A State Surgeon General is the operational head and senior spokesperson on public health in a single state of the United States of America, the state equivalent of the Surgeon General of the United States. According to the Virginia Department of Taxation, the annual summer sales tax holiday will not be coming back this year in Virginia. Surgeon General and Sen. Sullivan address suicide risks by young girls. Loyce Pace, MPH Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA) The Honorable Constance B. Tobias And thats essential because when people struggle with loneliness over time, it does erode their self-esteem and their sense of self. A broken heart is both a physical and a social diagnosis, he told Morning Edition on Wednesday. This is far more than just affecting our emotional well-being, but truly affecting our health.. It could be a relative, a friend, a counselor or a health care provider. A lawsuit has been filed against Governor Glenn Youngkin and several state officials challenging a Virginia law that strips felons voting rights.