More recent studies have also emphasized the importance of social connection, finding that a lack of certain types - such as never being visited by friends or family or feeling like you have someone to confide in - is associated with a higher risk of dying early from any cause. A sense of being alone defines loneliness, while social isolation is an objective lack of social connections. Hochul’s office cited a 2020 study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, which found more than one-third of adults age 45 or older experience loneliness, with nearly one-fourth of adults age 65 or older considered socially isolated. Ruth Westheimer to raise awareness of initiatives already implemented at the New York State Office for the Aging to combat loneliness and isolation, building on these successes across all ages.”
Greg Olsen, New York state’s director of its Office for the Aging, said in a statement that he’s looking forward “to working with Dr. “Last year, Governor Hochul signed an executive order to create the state’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging to ensure older New Yorkers can live healthy, fulfilling lives while aging with dignity and independence.” Under Hochul’s leadership, New York is working to create “age-friendly communities and build a more robust system of mental health care,” according to the news release. Surprising ways to counter the health harms of sitting
