Article Summary –
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 report highlighted the severe health impacts of loneliness and social isolation, comparing them to smoking 15 cigarettes daily and noting increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and premature death. Utilizing a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, Portage County’s Rural Community Connections Task Force, led by Kate Giblin, focuses on addressing these issues among older adults and people with disabilities in rural Wisconsin by enhancing access to existing community resources and organizing events to foster social connections. Despite challenges like transportation and weather, the initiative aims to sustain community engagement post-grant by integrating local organizations and leveraging informal support systems in various community hubs.
In 2023, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published a report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” It revealed that half of all Americans feel disconnected from friends, families, and communities. Murthy described loneliness as harmful, linking it to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and premature death.
Portage County is tackling social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities in rural Wisconsin, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The Rural Community Connections Task Force, comprising volunteers, community leaders, and businesses, aims to enhance social connections.
Kate Giblin, a senior center manager and the task force coordinator, shared a story of a man who found the center life-saving due to his isolation. Giblin emphasized the center as a happy place for many.
Murthy’s report equated the mortality impact of social disconnection to smoking 15 cigarettes daily, surpassing risks linked to obesity and inactivity.
Research from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging associates loneliness with heightened risks of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline.
Giblin, managing the Aging & Disability Resource Center in Portage County, identified barriers to accessing resources for older adults and people with disabilities. Despite numerous programs, issues like transportation and harsh weather hinder access.
Giblin explained that moving from resource-dense areas to more remote locations makes transportation and weather major obstacles for older and disabled individuals.
The task force leverages existing community spaces like libraries and sewing circles to enhance engagement, aiming to strengthen community connections.
They organized winter events in Rosholt, Amherst, Junction City, Almond, and Plover, providing free transportation, food, and entertainment.
The grant concludes on March 31, 2025. Giblin envisions bringing together about 40 organizations to sustain progress. She emphasized the shared impact of isolation and loneliness across various community initiatives.
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