Bloomington Public Health Launches 'Start With Hi!' Campaign To Combat Loneliness Epidemic

Bloomington Public Health Launches 'Start With Hi!' Campaign To Combat Loneliness Epidemic

Bloomington Public Health is addressing the hidden scourge of loneliness with its latest initiative, the Start with Hi! campaign. Coinciding with World Kindness Day on November 13, this campaign is set to launch locally in November, as part of a broader effort to tackle a problem that silently afflicts communities nationwide. It's designed to provide simple yet impactful tools that can help people more easily connect with those around them.

The drive to rapidly begin countering loneliness is in response to its increasingly clear health impacts. Statistics suggest a stark reality: being isolated can up the risk of heart disease and stroke by 29% and 32%, respectively. Moreover, in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General recognized loneliness and isolation as nothing less than an epidemic, a public health crisis that requires concerted grassroots intervention. With the Start with Hi! campaign, Bloomington Public Health hopes to spur a community-driven response to this epidemic.

The campaign's aims are threefold: to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of loneliness on health, to supply residents with easy-to-adopt methods for fostering social connections, and to encourage a broader cultural shift towards inclusiveness and connection. The belief driving this initiative is that simple acts, like greeting someone with a 'Hi', can begin to weave stronger social fabrics in our communities.

To learn more or get involved with the campaign, Bloomington residents and those interested are invited to visit their website. Participation in the Start with Hi! campaign represents a personal step towards building a more connected community—one conversation at a time.

SOURCE: hoodline