What You Should Know:
- Virgin Pulse launches a five-week global loneliness challenge for employers and health plans designed to foster social connections and reverse costly adverse health risks.
- Social isolation and loneliness is a worldwide problem and is clinically proven to be detrimental to individual and population health.
- The Striding for Connection challenge is being offered to all current clients worldwide to empower members to foster new connections while strengthening current relationships.
Tackling Social Isolation and Loneliness
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently declared loneliness a public health epidemic, stating that the health risks of loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, and mental health issues. During the Striding for Connection challenge, members will be challenged over the course of five weeks to get moving via simple, everyday actions – whether walking, running, or some other form of step-taking activity – connecting with their colleagues, friends, or family members for healthy competition and accountability.
Designed for both introverts and extroverts, the clinically validated challenge content will also embolden and teach members to deepen their social connections in many areas of their lives, encouraging them to strike up conversations with neighbors, attend a local reading or community social group, or just nurture a relationship by acknowledging a birthday or initiating a meetup. These connections will help form a sense of community, combat feelings of loneliness, and further support their emotional and physical wellbeing.
“Social connection is fundamental to survival. It creates a sense of belonging and is linked to reduced risk of depression and anxiety, lower stress levels, increased motivation to engage in self-care, and longer life,” said Jeffrey Jacques, MD, chief medical officer for Virgin Pulse. “Employers, health plans, and other organizations are at the epicenter of addressing this epidemic and stimulating meaningful relationships. Our new global challenge will help clients take steps to improve social wellbeing and reverse the adverse effects of loneliness and isolation worldwide.”