Independence Blue Cross (IBX) announced the launch of “Better Together,” a public awareness campaign to highlight the health impacts of loneliness and empower people to build stronger, more meaningful connections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define loneliness as a feeling of being disconnected from others due to a lack of meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging. The impacts of loneliness can be far-reaching, and everyone is susceptible. According to a 2023 advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness not only significantly impacts both individual and societal health but increases the risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, depression, and dementia.
The Better Together campaign helps people learn more about the effects of loneliness and gives them resources to build connections for themselves and others. It offers social media content, articles, fact sheets, videos, and more, with much of the content featured on the campaign’s comprehensive website. On the website, there is also a directory of nonprofit organizations across the Philadelphia five-county region that offer programs and opportunities to help people make social connections…