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“ Pickleball has tapped into something that we ’ ve known for a long time but need to be reminded of — meeting up in person , getting some exercise , and playing a sport , whether you ’ re a child or an adult — these are all part of what it means to be human . We need connection and time with others to thrive , just as we need food and water .”
“ It ’ s time for us to recognize that social disconnection is a public health threat that ’ s as important as smoking and obesity , and one that we have to take seriously ,” explains Dr . Murthy .
Far-Reaching Consequences of Loneliness
Dr . Murthy ’ s recent advisory , “ Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation ” ( https :// surgeongeneral . gov / loneliness ), has shed light on the profound impact of social disconnection and the potential remedies that lie within our grasp .
According to Dr . Murthy , one in two adults struggle with loneliness , with even higher rates among young people . “ It ’ s really concerning to me as a father who looks at my two kids and thinks about the world in which they are growing up ,” he says . “ I want to make sure they are healthy , happy and fulfilled .”
Dr . Murthy explains that there are multifaceted consequences of prolonged loneliness . “ It goes beyond being a mere feeling ; it becomes a catalyst for myriad health issues ,” he says . “ People who struggle with social disconnection are at increased risk for depression , anxiety and suicide , as well as physical ailments , including a 29 percent increase in the risk of heart disease , 32 percent increase in risk of stroke , 50 percent increase in dementia in older people , and increased risk of premature death .”
The roots of the nation ’ s loneliness epidemic go back a half century , Dr . Murthy explains , with declining participation in the organizations and community forces that used
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