Is There a Policy Solution to Rising Social Isolation and Loneliness? – The Liberal Patriot

Report on Premature Mortality and its Link to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Challenge to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

• Recent analysis indicates a significant rise in premature mortality among middle-aged individuals in advanced English-speaking countries, including the United States, the UK, and Canada.
• This trend presents a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health.

Analysis of Causal Factors in Relation to SDGs

Economic Dislocation and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

• Research refutes simplistic “deaths of despair” narratives, identifying long-term joblessness as a more precise and critical factor than general financial hardship or psychological distress.
• Increased mortality from substance abuse is concentrated in cohorts that experienced significant negative employment shocks early in life, such as during periods of rapid deindustrialization.
• This highlights a failure to meet the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which calls for full, productive, and decent employment for all.

Social Disintegration and its Impact on SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 16

• Social isolation is a key contributing factor, with data indicating that unemployed individuals and young men in Anglophone countries report significantly higher levels of isolation.
• Loneliness, a distinct subjective feeling of being disconnected, is most prevalent among younger demographics (ages 16-24), further compounding the risks to mental and physical health.
• These conditions undermine progress toward SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by hindering the creation of inclusive and safe communities, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by eroding social cohesion.
• Protective factors observed in non-Anglophone nations, such as strong multi-generational family units and higher levels of social solidarity, underscore the importance of robust community structures.

Policy Recommendations Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Economic Interventions to Advance SDG 8 and SDG 10

1. Implement Place-Based Strategies: National and state governments should develop and fund targeted strategies to aid economically distressed communities. This aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by focusing on areas left behind.
2. Promote Employment and Wage Growth: By investing in local education, infrastructure, and healthcare systems, governments can stimulate job creation and improve wages, directly addressing the core tenets of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Social Cohesion Strategies for SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 16

1. Promote Pro-Family Policies: Government support through tax credits, childcare assistance, and measures to reduce housing costs can foster economically stable family units, which are crucial for individual well-being and social stability.
2. Support Community and Civil Society Organizations: Directing resources to faith-based groups and local volunteer organizations can strengthen social bonds and community support networks, advancing SDG 16 (Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
3. Improve Public Spaces and Safety: Investing in crime reduction and the enhancement of public spaces encourages social interaction and community engagement, a key target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Digital Innovation for SDG 9 and SDG 17

1. Foster Pro-Social Technology: Governments and private partners should support the development of digital platforms designed to facilitate real-life gatherings and community engagement, turning technology into a tool for social cohesion. This contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

Conclusion: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development

• Addressing the crisis of premature mortality requires an integrated policy approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of health, economic stability, and social well-being.
• The evidence demonstrates that achieving SDG 3 is contingent on progress in SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities), and SDG 16 (Strong Institutions).
• Policies that strengthen employment, families, and community bonds are fundamental to building resilient societies and achieving the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This area represents a significant opportunity for bipartisan and cross-ideological cooperation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is the rise in “early deaths among middle-aged people” and the factors contributing to it, such as “deaths of despair,” substance abuse, suicide, and poor mental health linked to loneliness and social isolation.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article identifies “long-term joblessness” and “negative employment shocks” as primary drivers of self-destructive behavior and mortality. It proposes place-based strategies to “increase employment and improve wages” as a key solution.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The text discusses the importance of community and social environment, highlighting “social isolation” as a critical problem. It suggests solutions like improving “public spaces,” reducing “crime and social disorder,” and aiding “distressed communities” to encourage social interaction and cohesion.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article advocates for strengthening the social fabric through “pro-family policies,” support for “faith-based groups and other local volunteer-based organizations,” and promoting “social cohesion.” These elements contribute to building more inclusive and resilient societies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article directly addresses this by examining the rise in “early deaths” and linking it to factors like “self-destructive behaviour,” “social isolation,” and “loneliness,” which are critical aspects of mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This is relevant as the article explicitly states that “deaths from substance abuse have…risen” and points to “deaths from drugs” as a major component of the mortality crisis, especially in places like Scotland.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article identifies “long-term joblessness” as a core problem and advocates for policies that “increase employment and improve wages,” directly aligning with this target.
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. Although the 2020 deadline has passed, the target’s principle is highly relevant. The article notes that social isolation is acute among “younger men” and that joblessness has a profound impact on “younger people,” making youth employment a critical area for intervention.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. The article proposes that governments “improve public spaces” and “reduce crime and social disorder” to encourage people to “get out more and enjoy interacting with others,” which directly supports this target.
4. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article’s call to support “faith-based groups and other local volunteer-based organizations” and promote “communitarian efforts” aligns with fostering inclusive societies where local institutions play a key role in strengthening social bonds and well-being.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3 Targets:
   • Mortality Rate: The article is framed around the analysis of “higher mortality rates for younger people” and “early deaths.” This is a direct indicator for Target 3.4 (Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease).
   • Suicide Mortality Rate: The article mentions “deaths from…suicide” as part of the “deaths of despair” phenomenon, which corresponds to Indicator 3.4.2.
   • Deaths from Substance Abuse: The text explicitly refers to “deaths from substance abuse” and “deaths from drugs,” which can be used as a measure of progress for Target 3.5.
   • Prevalence of Loneliness: The article cites the “BBC’s Loneliness Experiment” and its finding that “40 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds…feel lonely.” This serves as a proxy indicator for mental well-being under Target 3.4.
2. For SDG 8 Targets:
   • Unemployment Rate: The article identifies “long-term joblessness” and “high joblessness” as key factors. The unemployment rate, particularly long-term and youth unemployment, is a primary indicator for Targets 8.5 and 8.6 (e.g., Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities).
3. For SDG 11 and 16 Targets:
   • Levels of Social Isolation: The article discusses social isolation as a measurable concept, distinct from loneliness, through factors like “living alone or not having much contact with family, friends, and others.” This can be used as an indicator for community cohesion (SDG 11) and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
   • Crime Rates: The recommendation to “reduce crime and social disorder” implies that crime rates would be a key indicator for measuring the safety of communities and public spaces (Target 11.7).
   • Levels of Interpersonal Trust: The article states that high social isolation leads to “lower levels of interpersonal trust,” implying that measuring trust could be an indicator of social cohesion (SDG 16).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: liberalpatriot.com