The Hidden Cost of Loneliness -
And What We Can Do About It
Exploring the power of intergenerational connection to heal a public health crisis
Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a growing public health concern. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory, chronic loneliness carries health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And it affects all of us: from teens scrolling through endless social media feeds to older adults living alone.
But here’s the hopeful part: connection is the cure.
Loneliness Across Generations
While loneliness looks different across life stages, it’s a shared experience:
- Younger adults often report high levels of isolation despite being constantly connected online.
- Middle-aged adults may struggle as careers shift or caregiving roles increase.
- Older adults face physical isolation, grief, or mobility issues.
The impact? Increased risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, cognitive decline—and more.
Connection Is Medicine
At Healing Meals, we believe food is medicine—and connection is too. That’s why we create spaces where people of all ages come together to cook, nourish others, and share meaningful conversations. We’re proud to partner with For All Ages—a nonprofit working to end social isolation by fostering positive intergenerational relationships.
Together, we’re proving that when generations connect, communities heal.
From Conversation to Action
The Surgeon General’s Advisory calls for building strong “social infrastructure”—like programs, spaces, and events that help us feel seen and supported. Our recent Gathering Table event, hosted with For All Ages, brought together youth, adults, and elders for a shared meal, kindness card-making, and hands-on meal prep. Moments like these are more than feel-good—they’re life-changing.
What You Can Do
You can help combat loneliness, too:
- Call someone from a different generation.
- Volunteer for an intergenerational cause.
- Support organizations investing in community connection.
Every small act of connection has the power to ripple outward—and together, we can build a more compassionate, connected world.
