Tracking Connection, Strengthening Communities

We’ve long known that loneliness and isolation harm our health, but inconsistent surveys have made it difficult to understand the true scope of the issue or track change over time. Social Connection in America has just released the first report from a new 25-year survey, designed to consistently benchmark social connection across the United States and provide data practitioners can use to effectively drive change.

Early findings underscore the powerful role that neighborhoods and local communities play in fostering connection — particularly through belonging, trust, and mutual support. These are the building blocks of healthier, more resilient communities and point to local action as a promising foundation for addressing loneliness as a public health challenge.

RSA US is honored to partner with Social Connection in America for a live session featuring Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad to explore what the survey measures, what the findings reveal, and how this data can support work on the ground — from strengthening community-based programs to making the case for investment in social connection. The session will include time for questions, reflection, and discussion with fellow practitioners.

Speakers

 Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, is Social Connection in America’s Director and Chief Science Lead. She is an international scientific expert whose research has been seminal in the recognition of social isolation and loneliness as risk factors for early mortality. She is also the director of the Social Connections Lab, LLC and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. She was the lead scientific editor for a US Surgeon General’s advisory on social connection, served as a member of multiple National Academy of Sciences consensus committees, the UK Cross-Departmental Loneliness Team, European Joint Research Council, the World Health Organization, and many others. Her award-winning work has been widely recognized and regularly featured in major media outlets.

Taking part in RSA US online events

At RSA US, we host interactive online events designed to foster connection, dialogue, and community among Fellows. We use Zoom for these gatherings, and you’ll receive joining details by email after registering. Some events may be recorded, and by attending, you acknowledge that your name or image may appear in public recordings. If there are any accommodations we can provide to support you in participating fully, please reach out to the RSA US team at general.us@thersa.org and we will be happy to support in whatever ways we can.

Our online events, especially our monthly Virtual Salons, typically held on the third Thursday of the month, have been developed as a space to have meaningful, inclusive dialogue across geography and perspective, and are often supported by volunteer moderators. We invite all Fellows to join us in showing up at our events with care and curiosity, and encourage all participants to review our Rules of Engagement so that we can best support one another in these spaces. We also warmly welcome Fellows who are interested in co-creating an event with us to reach out via email at general.us@thersa.org.