WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to a dozen cigarettes daily, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring a public health epidemic.

“We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing,” Dr. Vivek Murthy said.

The declaration is intended to raise awareness around loneliness, but won't result in new federal funding or programming devoted to the issue.

Some contributing factors have been traced for decades, including the fact people are less active and engaged in places of worship and community organizations. The number of single-person households also has increased.

But the crisis noticeably worsened when COVID-19 spread, prompting schools and workplaces to limit in-person interaction. Those age 15 to 24 reported nearly a 70% drop in time spent with friends during the early months of the pandemic.

Social isolation elevates a person's likelihood for experiencing depression, anxiety and dementia, according to the research. The research also said those with poor social relationships had a greater risk of stroke and heart disease.

In response, the surgeon general calls on workplaces, schools, technology companies, community organizations, parents and other people to recognize the signs of social isolation and take steps to alleviate them.

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