Loneliness epidemic hitting Americans hard, especially young people

[KARE 11 News, May 03, 2023] The U.S Surgeon General has declared loneliness an epidemic that poses risks as deadly as smoking. The report cited research that shows loneliness and social isolation increases the risk for premature death by 26-29% and is similar to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Allina Health psychologist Sarah Paper, LP, PsyD, talked with KARE 11 News about loneliness and why it’s such a health risk.