Why Loneliness Is a Public Health Crisis

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness and social isolation a public health epidemic. It wasn't a metaphor. The health consequences of chronic loneliness are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and the problem is only growing.

At Pulse, we started because we experienced this firsthand. Moving to a new city as an adult, watching friendships fade after college, realizing that social media connections weren't translating into real-life community. These aren't individual failures — they're systemic ones.

The Numbers Are Staggering

One in two adults in the United States reports experiencing loneliness. Among young adults aged 18-25, the numbers are even higher. And this was before the pandemic accelerated the trend. We're more connected digitally than ever before, yet more isolated physically.

The health impacts go beyond mental well-being. Chronic loneliness increases the risk of heart disease by 29%, stroke by 32%, and dementia by 50%. It weakens immune function and accelerates cognitive decline. These aren't correlations — they're causal relationships established through decades of research.

Why It's Getting Worse

Several structural changes in society have contributed to the loneliness epidemic. The decline of "third places" — community spaces that aren't home or work — has removed natural gathering points. Remote work, while offering flexibility, has reduced casual social interactions. And the design of modern cities often prioritizes cars over walkable, communal spaces.

Social media promised to bridge these gaps but often deepened them. Scrolling through curated highlight reels of others' social lives can intensify feelings of isolation. The dopamine hit of a like or comment is a poor substitute for the oxytocin released during face-to-face connection.

What We Can Do

The solution isn't to abandon technology — it's to use it as a bridge to real-life connection. That's exactly what Pulse does. We use the convenience of digital platforms to lower the barrier to showing up in person. Find an adventure, meet your crew, build genuine friendships.

Community building takes intentionality. It means showing up even when it's uncomfortable. It means choosing depth over breadth. And it means recognizing that the courage to be vulnerable with new people is one of the bravest things any of us can do.

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