16 votes

Professor of medicine claims that curing America’s loneliness epidemic would make us healthier, fitter and less likely to abuse drugs

Posted by boxer_dogs_dance
Tags: fitness, usa, health.public, loneliness, substance abuse, author.clay marsh, source.the conversation
https://theconversation.com/curing-americas-loneliness-epidemic-would-make-us-healthier-fitter-and-less-likely-to-abuse-drugs-206059

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Authors
Clay Marsh
Published
Jul 14 2023
Word count
992 words

4 comments

  1. snake_case
    Link
    Something the article didn't mention, I think a big part of this is that none of us can even get into deep conversations about anything any more because each topic eventually touches some aspect...

    Something the article didn't mention, I think a big part of this is that none of us can even get into deep conversations about anything any more because each topic eventually touches some aspect of culture war politics. You can hardly even mention going to the doctors office without transitioning into how your experience could have been better if the cost of healthcare wasn't so much.

    The fact that the whole east coast is coated in forest fire smoke and has been for months is an elephant in the room anywhere you go. You cant even talk about the weather at the DMV without some argument about climate change.

    Thats what culture war politics has done to us. Its alienated us from each other by giving us easy to digest solid black and white morally superior opinions about everything and if someone doesn't agree they are just dumb, ignorant, uninformed slaves to the government or capitalist dogma or what have you.

    11 votes
  2. [3]
    MaoZedongers
    Link
    Really putting that degree to work lol. That's just common sense.

    Really putting that degree to work lol.

    That's just common sense.

    4 votes
    1. Grendel
      Link Parent
      That was my initial thought as well, however it is important to translate common sense into a hypothesis that can be validated with empirical data. I think that does three main things: Provides an...

      That was my initial thought as well, however it is important to translate common sense into a hypothesis that can be validated with empirical data. I think that does three main things:

      1. Provides an opportunity to learn things that aren't common sense (treatments that are counter intuitive but effective)
      2. Provides evidence that can be used to convince others of the need for additional research
      3. Provides validation to those who are struggling

      I think a lot of important scientific precedents started with testing out things that are common sense.

      7 votes
    2. DanBC
      Link Parent
      It's common sense that lonliness is harmful. What's new is just how harmful it is. One of the best things someone can do to improve their health is to give up smoking, so to hear that loneliness...

      It's common sense that lonliness is harmful. What's new is just how harmful it is. One of the best things someone can do to improve their health is to give up smoking, so to hear that loneliness can have similar impact is a big deal.

      Also, the surgeon general wrote an 80 page document that goes into detail about the risks, the potential causes, and potential solutions. It's supported by evidence and research. It's copiously referenced.

      https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

      A simple dismissal of all of that work with "That's just common sense" feels like noise.

      5 votes