The need for scientific leadership and collaboration to enhance social connection: A call to action

Abstract

The United States faces a growing crisis of social disconnection, marked by increasing rates of loneliness, social isolation, and declining social capital. This has profound implications for public health, as social connection is critical to individual well-being and societal functioning. The "loneliness epidemic," as described by the US Surgeon General, is intertwined with broader challenges such as mental health crises, substance abuse, and sociopolitical issues. Although evidence highlights the importance of social connection for health outcomes, efforts to address social disconnection remain fragmented. This article provides context about the status of social disconnection in America and justifies the need for science to promote social connection from the perspectives of a scientific leadership council (SLC). This call to action proposes coordinated efforts to: (1) galvanize efforts to employ scientific evidence to design solutions and policies to address social disconnection; (2) establish the role of a US-based SLC, an interdisciplinary collaborative for evidence-based leadership; and (3) advocate for unified efforts and harmonization to close the gap between evidence and implementation. Additionally, this article proposes setting measurable national goals aligned with the Healthy People 2030 framework to monitor progress and drive systemic change, transforming the current landscape and building a more connected future.

Keywords: loneliness; policy; social connection; social isolation.