CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Office of the Surgeon General has released an advisory revealing loneliness and social isolation are just as deadly as smoking cigarettes.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. surgeon general released an advisory about loneliness and social isolation

  • The advisory aims to raise awareness about how social isolation harms health

  • A Charlotte organization is working to combat loneliness across Mecklenburg County 

  • The group hopes more people will take action to combat social isolation in response to the surgeon general's advisory

According to the report, social isolation increases the risk for premature death as much as a person smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The advisory says poor social connections can increase the risk of heart disease by 29%. 

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy says loneliness should be taken seriously because the impact can be deadly. His advisory calls on people to take urgent action to address it. 

"Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling, it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death," Murthy said.  

Organizations across the state are raising awareness about loneliness, including a volunteer-led grassroots group in Charlotte. 

Tawanda Robbins founded the Love in Action Project 13 years ago to combat loneliness in Mecklenburg County and beyond. 

Her organization hosts parties where volunteers create art like cards for people vulnerable to loneliness, such as neighbors experiencing homelessness and seniors. 

"We want to remind you that you are not alone," Robbins said. "That you are needed, everything about you is needed."

She says the COVID-19 pandemic only enhanced the need for the services offered by the Love in Action Project. 

"Our statistics went up. It was no longer just that demographic that needed the love and the connection, it was all of us," Robbins said. 

Robbins hopes more people are encouraged by the surgeon general's advisory to combat social isolation in their neighborhoods. 

"I hope the community comes together and really takes heed to what the surgeon general said because we all need each other," Robbins said. "Let's stay together so we all can make this world a better place for everyone."

The surgeon general says social isolation has a significant economic impact and estimates over $6.7 billion is spent on related health care each year.