#21: Socially Sick
Despite being more plugged in, we’re less connected than ever before.
As healthspan and longevity enter the mainstream, researchers are searching for the magic bullet. But health is determined by so many different factors: genetics, environment, socioeconomic status, nutrition, sleep, movement, and even life satisfaction and happiness.
The billionaire biohackers of the world can afford to optimize every category of health. They have personal chefs, hyperbaric sleep pods, and stem cell injections. For the rest of us, however, it’d be nice to know which factor influences health outcomes most.
Health = Happiness
An 85-year-old study from Harvard suggests that the quality of our relationships is the number one determinant of a happy and healthy life. Beginning in 1938, scientists sought to uncover the major predictors of healthy aging and sustained life satisfaction. The study is now among the longest-running longitudinal studies of human development in history, and has been nicknamed the “Harvard Happiness Study”.
Even since the initiation of the second phase of the study—which includes the children and partners of the original cohort—the results remain clear. Just as tending the body is important, ensuring close relationships is necessary to preserve life-long health and satisfaction.
If the study is correct, that relationships are essential to long-term health and happiness, then it’s no wonder our country is so sick.
Disconnected
Exacerbated by the pandemic, Americans are battling a new type of sickness: feeling disconnected.
Last year, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a warning about the devastating impact of social isolation and loneliness. In it, he argued that we should be taking the loneliness epidemic just as seriously as tobacco, obesity, and substance abuse.
61% of all US adults report feeling lonely.
In 2021, Americans spent less than 3 hours per week with friends, a 58% decline from 2013.
The US ranks just 15th worldwide in life satisfaction.
Feelings of isolation raise the risk of a myriad of physical and mental health complications. Lonely individuals have a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia.
Most troubling, social isolation raises the risk of premature death by over 60% and doubles the risk of depression.
Connecting the Dots
Americans are struggling to connect, but startups are stepping up. Founders are creating both digital and IRL communities that help foster meaningful connections.
Given the importance of relationships to overall health, these startups have been labeled healthcare companies, and are receiving funding accordingly.
Some have created chatbot companions. Others have created online communities. And still, more are bringing solutions to the elderly—a population most at risk for loneliness.
Chatbot Companions
Replika: AI companion emulating an empathetic friend — $11m in funding.
Meeno: GenAI application providing relationship mentoring for difficult conversations— $4.9m in seed funding, backed by Sequoia Capital and New Enterprise Associates.
Woebot Health: Chat-based mental health support — $114m in total funding.
Online Communities
Wisdo: Evidence-based peer support community for health plans and employers — closed $11m series A round in 2023.
Forum: Virtual peer support marketplace for life’s biggest challenges — raised $5.3m round led by NextView Ventures with participation from MBX Capital.
Pyx Health: 24/7 support, reduces loneliness in Medicare and Medicaid members by 60% — acquired InquisitHealth in Jan 2024.
Panion: Data-driven app connecting users based on shared interests and goals — raised undisclosed amount in 2019.
IRL
Belong Center: Non-profit launching public spaces for connection, academic study on dance and joy, social media campaign on belonging, and in-person gatherings.
Evryman: Community for men offering online groups, in-person retreats, and emotional intelligence and expression workshops — public benefit corporation started in 2016.
Peoplehood: Guided group conversations to improve relationships — $7.2m in funding from Maveron.
Elderly Care
Papa: Connecting elderly family members to real people who assist in companionship, transportation, and daily tasks — valued at $1.4b in 2021.
Peppermint: Online clubhouse community for adults 55 and older — secured $8m in seed funding, born out of Redesign Health.
Mon Ami: Pairing college students with elderly individuals to provide companionship — $3.4 in seed funding in 2019.
Despite popular belief, it's younger generations, not the elderly, that are suffering most from isolation and loneliness. Gen Z is the loneliest generation with 79% feeling completely isolated. Millennials are not much better with 71% reporting loneliness.
Sweat Works
Not to be neglected, the fitness and wellness industry already offers some of the social interactions we so desperately seek.
Gyms, spin sessions, yoga classes, and run clubs are all viable sources of community, improving two essential pillars of holistic wellbeing: physical health and social connection.
Coming Together
In an era marked by digitization, political intolerance, and social fragmentation, it will take some pretty unique solutions to reunite us. Otherwise, we remain stuck with the alternative—social media—which is doing more harm than good.
For those who still discount the importance of meaningful relationships, here’s a final warning: Social isolation is as detrimental to one’s health as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day.
We shouldn’t have to rely on startups to foster better social interactions. But until our world goes back to when it cultivated human connection—which it probably won’t—then these companies may be the next best thing.
Still, if we just look up from our phones, spend less time working, and more time with friends and family, there’s hope for a future that isn’t so “angry, sick, and alone”.
This week in healthcare:
The new era of consumer engagement: Insights from Rock Health’s ninth annual Consumer Adoption Survey, Rock Health
Eli Lilly partners with Amazon Pharmacy for home delivery of its weight loss, diabetes and migraine drugs, Fierce Healthcare
Healthcare deals are picking up as VCs finally reopen their wallets. Here's what they are betting on., Business Insider
Every new mom in this U.S. city is now getting cash aid for a year, NPR