Source: New York Post
by Karol Markowicz
“Friendship in America is in steep decline: We’re more disconnected from each other than ever, and the gulf between us is only growing. Does it matter? It does. We know that friendships are good for us. People with stronger social interactions live longer than those without, according to a study published last week in the UK’s Nature Medicine journal. Living with a partner, for example, is as good for physical health as regular exercise, researchers found, and having non-related friends to confide in also extends lifespan. Loneliness is a silent killer. A US surgeon general’s report from 2023 found it as dangerous as smoking, ‘associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death’ — while upward of 60% of Americans feel lonely on a regular basis, surveys have found. Along with the impact on personal well-being, the trend is dangerous for America itself.” (02/24/25)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/24/opinion/friendship-in-america-is-in-freefall-and-its-killing-us/