As he prepares to leave office, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has released a heartfelt, beautifully written statement that he aptly titled, “My Parting Prescription for America.” In it, Dr. Murthy speaks personally and with deep compassion about the ongoing crisis of loneliness and social isolation in our country, an issue he brought to public attention so powerfully in his 2023 report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation.”
Those of us at DOROT and at other organizations combatting social isolation saw firsthand the power of Dr. Murthy’s championing of our cause. Coming after the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the isolation experienced by so many people, his report dramatically expanded awareness about loneliness as a public health crisis. Dr. Murthy put the issue at the top of his agenda—and in doing so, he put it at the top of our national agenda.
What made Dr. Murthy’s advocacy so groundbreaking is that he made it personal—telling stories about himself and others that brought the problem of loneliness to life and reduced its stigma. His book Together makes the case that human connection is fundamental to our health and well-being.
Because of Dr. Murthy, today, when I speak with people about DOROT’s work—whether volunteers, donors, government officials, or simply neighbors—they understand immediately what we do and how critical it is.
So, thank you, Dr. Murthy. Your compassion, humanity, and savvy use of the platform you were given, have made a tremendous contribution to the well-being of individual Americans and to the health of our nation.
- Mark L. Meridy, DOROT Executive Director