Open Letter on The Need for Government Action to Support Social Health in Canada

Dear Honourable Members of Government and Health Authorities across Canada,

The COVID-19 pandemic has foregrounded the devastating effects of social isolation, disconnection and loneliness on individuals' mental and physical health. However, the corrosive effects of social disconnection long preceded COVID-19. Researchers have documented long-running trends in social decline and disconnection, the erosion of social trust and cohesion, and the breakdown of civic discourse and participation. The need to reverse these trends has never been more critical, not only to protect individual health, but also to safeguard the security of Canadian democracy.

As individuals and communities have witnessed firsthand throughout the pandemic, social isolation, disconnection and loneliness have far-reaching consequences beyond individual health. They have a profound impact on the social fabric of our society, leading to increased levels of polarization, unrest, and the erosion of democratic values. We are becoming more individualistic and less prosocial. Such changes will have a rippling effect on the welfare of people in Canada for decades to come. 

As concerned citizens and experts in public health, medicine, psychology, sociology, and social welfare, we collectively write to you now to call for urgent action to address the increasing problem of loneliness and social isolation for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. 

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to help reverse this trend. These actions include the following:

• The Minister of Health, following the example of the U.S. Surgeon General, could convene experts in social health and connection to develop a national social health framework and issue a public health advisory on the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation.

• The Standing Committee on Health in the House of Commons of Canada could leverage current research from across the country to conduct a unified national study that would explore the impacts of social isolation, disconnection and loneliness and how it can be equitably addressed for the whole of society. 

• The Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Health Canada could prioritize research focusing on social connection and health in order to identify the most effective strategies for reducing loneliness and social isolation and promotion social and civic health. 

• National research funders can develop targeted calls and dedicated funding streams to improve our understanding of what programs and strategies can strengthen the social fabric of communities across Canada.

• Social health-focused funding mechanisms could be developed to address loneliness and social isolation, similar to The HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF), the Enhanced Surveillance for Chronic Disease Program, The Mental Health Promotion Innovation Fund, and Dementia Community Investment Fund.

• Health Canada could adopt social health guidelines that help advise all people in Canada on the importance of social connection, similar to food and exercise guidelines currently promoted by Health Canada and to the Social Connection Guidelines being developed by the Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health.

• Governments could invest in health promotion campaigns that support the education of people in Canada with respect to the importance of social connection and healthy relationships.

• Governments could invest in social prescribing programs to ensure that people’s health and social needs are met using existing health and social care systems. 

• Governments could renew and increase our investments in community-based programs that provide opportunities for people to connect and engage with others in their neighbourhoods, such as community gardens, arts and culture initiatives, and sports programs. 

• Governments and employers could develop worker protection policies and programs that promote social connection, such as flexible work arrangements, scheduling protections, and other efforts to protect workers and their social well-being. 

• Governments could include robust social health measures in national monitoring and surveillance programs to ensure that social connection is recognized as a critical component of overall health and well-being. 

• Governments could increase investment in affordable housing and transportation options that enable people to connect with others and participate in community activities. 

• Governments could incorporate social health into the public education curriculum, to ensure that children and youth are equipped with the skills and knowledge to build healthy relationships and social connections throughout their lives.

In short, we believe the government should consider the importance of social health in all policies and programs and support efforts to intentionally develop community and interpersonal connections. In doing so, we underscore that while all people in Canada deserve support to improve their social well-being, it is crucial to attend to the needs of equity-deserving populations in Canada, including Indigenous and racialized people, migrants and refugees, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized and oppressed communities. These populations have historically experienced systemic discrimination, social exclusion, and unequal access to healthcare and social services, resulting in higher rates of health disparities, social isolation, and loneliness. As we work towards addressing social isolation and loneliness across all ages in Canada, it is essential to recognize and address the unique needs and experiences of these populations. This requires a commitment to equity and inclusion in all aspects of policy and practice, including research, program development, and service delivery, to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need to foster strong social connections and a sense of belonging.

In conclusion, we urge the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and health authorities across Canada to prioritize social health by increasing their commitments to address loneliness and social isolation. Such actions will help reduce the burden of poor mental and physical health, strengthen the social sector, and promote a healthy civic life for all people in Canada. Together, we must work towards creating a society that fosters strong social connections and a sense of belonging for all.

Sincerely,

The undersigned