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The Ezra Klein Show · May 20, 2023 · 70m
The Surgeon General's Warning on Loneliness
The Ezra Klein Show
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic. Klein explores the data: loneliness increases mortality risk as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and Americans are more isolated than ever.
This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.
Canon
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Klein connects the loneliness epidemic to the Grant Study Canon: relationships are the strongest predictor of wellbeing, and modern society is systematically reducing opportunities for connection.
Highlights
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Loneliness is as dangerous as smoking — but there's no surgeon general's warning on social isolation
The data is striking: chronic loneliness increases mortality risk by 26%. It's associated with a 29% increase in coronary heart disease and a 32% increase in stroke. Social isolation is a medical emergency.Was this useful?