Overview
Social isolation and loneliness are significant threats to both mental and physical health. Loneliness occurs when there is a disconnect between a person’s actual and desired level of social connection. It can increase the risk of several health issues, including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harm, dementia, and premature death.
Goal
Met: The prevalence of adults experiencing loneliness, 28.0%, is lower than national prevalence identified by the UCLA Loneliness Scale survey at 38.5%.
Loneliness: Based on UCLA Loneliness Scale combining responses from the following items. “Lonely” is defined as respondents who score 6-9 points in the series of three questions from the UCLA Loneliness Scale (regarding lacking companionship or feeling isolated or feeling left out). Points were awarded based on “hardly ever” (1), “some of the time” (2), or “often” (3) responses:
- How often do you feel: That you lack companionship?
- How often do you feel: Left out?
- How often do you feel: Isolated from others?
Target Population
Adults
ACHIEVED – Tahoe Forest has surpassed the Healthy People 2030 goal!
Loneliness chart description: Chart shows that 28% of randomly surveyed adults experience loneliness, compared to the national prevalence of 38.5%.
No active workgroup because the target is surpassed.
- UCLA Loneliness Scale – comprises 3 questions that measure three dimensions of loneliness: relational connectedness, social connectedness and self-perceived isolation. Points were awarded based on “hardly ever” (1 point), “some of the time” (2 points), or “often” (3 points). Researchers define 3 to 5 points as “not lonely” and 6 to 9 points as “lonely”
- How often do you feel: That you lack companionship?
- How often do you feel: Left out?
- How often do you feel: Isolated from others?
