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#417: Dr. Vivek Murthy — Former Surgeon General on Combatting COVID-19, Loneliness, and More

Mar 26, 2020

Guest

Vivek H. Murthy

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former Surgeon General of the United States, discusses his impactful work addressing the opioid crisis and the critical issue of loneliness in today's society. He emphasizes the importance of human connection, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares personal reflections on mortality and empathy. Murthy also explores how public health officers contribute during crises, advocating for community solidarity and effective communication as key elements in overcoming public health challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Loneliness

Vivek Murthy's loneliness began in elementary school due to shyness.
He felt anxious about social interactions, finding relief only at home.

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INSIGHT

Loneliness in Adulthood and Medicine

Loneliness persisted into adulthood, affecting Murthy and his patients.
He witnessed many patients die alone, highlighting the prevalence of loneliness.

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ADVICE

Comforting the Dying

When comforting dying patients, be present and focus on their needs.
Offer physical contact, listen attentively, and validate their feelings.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Exploring the Versatility of the Nutribullet and Other Health Supplements

02:09 • 4min

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Exploring Public Health and Human Connection

06:35 • 4min

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Confronting Loneliness and Mortality

10:42 • 14min

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The Role of the Surgeon General and Public Health Officers

24:48 • 9min

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Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

34:01 • 29min

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Building Connections: The Heart of Workplace Relationships

01:03:14 • 21min

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Navigating Transition: Reflections of a Former Surgeon General

01:24:13 • 8min

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Navigating Loneliness and Connection

01:32:33 • 28min

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Resources and Recommendations for Well-Being and Productivity

02:00:30 • 6min

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Together

The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

Vivek Murthy

In this book, Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a compelling case for loneliness as a major public health concern, comparable in harm to smoking. He argues that loneliness affects not only individual health but also societal cohesion, contributing to issues such as addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety. The book is divided into sections on understanding loneliness and building more connected lives, offering strategies like spending time with loved ones, focusing on each other, embracing solitude, and helping others. Murthy draws from personal experiences, scientific research, and community examples to illustrate the negative impacts of loneliness and the healing power of human connection.

Dr. Vivek Murthy — Former Surgeon General on Combatting COVID-19, Loneliness, and More | Brought to you by NutriBullet and Trello.

“All of us, regardless of what stage of life we’re at, we’ve got three basic needs: we all want to know that we matter, we want to be seen for who we are, and we want to know that we’re loved.” — Dr. Vivek Murthy

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy (@vivek_murthy, vivekmurthy.com) served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States between 2014-2017. As the Vice Admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, he commanded a uniformed service of 6,600 public health officers globally. During his tenure, Dr. Murthy launched the TurnTheTide campaign, catalyzing a movement among health professionals to address the nation’s opioid crisis. He also issued the first Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, calling for expanded access to prevention and treatment and for recognizing addiction as a chronic illness, not a character flaw.

In 2017, Dr. Murthy focused his attention on chronic stress and loneliness as prevalent problems that have profound implications for health, productivity, and happiness. He has co-founded a number of organizations: VISIONS, an HIV/AIDS education program in India; Swasthya, a community health partnership in rural India training women as health providers and educators; software company TrialNetworks; and the grassroots physicians organization Doctors for America.

Since leaving government service, Dr. Murthy has continued to focus on loneliness and social connection. His book Together: the Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World will be published this spring by Harper Collins.

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