“Addressing loneliness is a public health issue as important as tobacco or obesity”.

In a world that is more interconnected than ever via technology and social media, why do so many of us feel lonely? And how can we change that?

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 21st Surgeon General of the United States is the man putting loneliness at the top of the public health agenda. Nominated by Barack Obama and Joe Biden as ‘the Nation’s Doctor’, his ground-breaking work on the physical and mental impact of social disconnection is changing the narrative around loneliness and shifting much of the shame and stigma that exist around this topic.

In this significant conversation Dr. Murthy and Annie discuss what loneliness actually looks like, their own personal stories of loneliness and tips for how you can address loneliness in your own life.

To find out more:

Twitter: @Surgeon_General 

Instagram: @u.s.surgeongeneral 

Facebook: @U.S. Surgeon General 

For all of Dr. Murthy’s priority issue areas, please visit surgeongeneral.gov/priorities

You can buy a copy of Dr. Murthy’s book ‘ Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World here: https://www.vivekmurthy.com/together-book

Dr. Murthy also hosts his own podcast called House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, you can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts or at surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls

Loneliness charities: https://www.samaritans.org/ and https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/

Annie’s article about loneliness:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/09/dj-annie-macmanus-it-was-a-shock-to-realise-i-was-lonely

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

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