More than 1 in 3 Ohioans report feeling lonely
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More than one-third of Ohioans reported feeling lonely at least sometimes in the latest vibe check from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Why it matters: Feelings of isolation and loneliness are a real public health threat — so much so that Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the matter last year.
What they did: In the newest Household Pulse Survey, over 40% of U.S. adults said they experienced feelings of loneliness at least sometimes.
- The brief online survey is designed to quickly assess Americans' economic and financial well-being, among other topics.
- This run was conducted between July 23-Aug. 19, with nearly 60,000 respondents.
The big picture: Ohio is actually faring better than most other states and the national average.
- Alaska (46%) had the highest rate of loneliness, while Iowa (36%) had the lowest.
- Ohio ranked 45th, at nearly 38%.
Yes, but: Experiences with loneliness can vary from person to person, influenced by factors like living and working arrangements and stages of life.
Case in point: A recent OSU Wexner Medical Center survey of 265 parents found a majority (65%) experience "isolation, loneliness and burnout from the demands of parenthood, with many feeling a lack of support."
- The researchers suggested remote work may exacerbate the problem.
- "There are some days where the most chit-chat or idle talk that I get is with my dog because I work alone," one Columbus mother said.
😬 Alissa's thought bubble: Well, that hits a little too close to home.
- … shoutout to my cats, Lily and Binx.
Plus: Lonely feelings may be at least partially tied to weather — so we wouldn't be surprised if our polling data looked a bit different during a gray slog of deep winter.
Where to make connections
Getting out there and making some connections, even just through casual conversation, can do wonders for your mental health, Axios' Carly Mallenbaum reports.
A few suggestions:
❤️ Volunteer: It's a great way to connect with people who share your interests and give back.
- ICYMI: We recapped some options a while back.
👪 Meet fellow parents: Check out a "Mommy and Me" fitness class or a library storytime.
🍽️ Join a stranger for dinner: The TimeLeft app brings local folks together every Wednesday.
📞 Pick up the phone: A call will brighten your day and others' too.
🚶 Explore the city: Visit a popular festival, restaurant or must-see attraction.
😃 There's a local news outlet that often suggests things to do. Maybe you've heard of it?