Social capital: Predicting an epidemic of loneliness—and prescribing the solution – Harvard Kennedy School

Report on Social Capital and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Public Health Crisis of Social Isolation and SDG 3

A 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General identified loneliness as a public health epidemic, a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The advisory states that loneliness significantly harms both individual and societal health, undermining progress toward ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

• Recent surveys indicate that nearly 50% of the American adult population experiences loneliness.
• The highest rates of loneliness are reported among young adults.
• Men are noted as being less likely to utilize their social networks for support, despite experiencing similar levels of loneliness as women.

The rise of online interaction has introduced new risks, particularly for younger demographics, potentially diminishing in-person social engagement and impacting mental health outcomes central to SDG 3.

The Decline of Social Capital: A Challenge to SDG 16

The work of Harvard Kennedy School social scientist Robert D. Putnam provides a foundational framework for understanding this crisis. His research on social capital—the networks, norms, and trust that facilitate effective cooperation—is critical to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). A decline in social capital erodes the trust and inclusivity necessary for building effective and accountable institutions.

Putnam’s seminal 2000 book, “Bowling Alone,” documented a decline in American civic and community engagement, symbolizing a weakening of the societal fabric. His analysis distinguishes between two forms of social capital essential for societal health:

1. Bonding Social Capital: Refers to strong ties within homogenous groups, such as family and close friends.
2. Bridging Social Capital: Encompasses weaker ties across diverse social groups, which is vital for fostering societal cooperation and achieving the inclusive societies envisioned by SDG 16.

Rebuilding Communities: A Strategy for SDG 11 and SDG 17

Putnam’s subsequent scholarship offers proposals for reviving social trust and reconnecting communities. These efforts align directly with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which aims to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The restoration of community and civic engagement is a core component of building resilient societies.

Furthermore, Putnam’s creation of the Saguaro Seminar at HKS exemplifies the approach of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By convening experts from diverse sectors including academia, business, and government, the seminar fostered a multi-stakeholder partnership to strengthen civic engagement and analyze social capital, demonstrating a collaborative model for addressing complex societal challenges.

Policy Impact and Implications for SDG 4

Putnam’s research has had a significant, bipartisan policy impact, influencing multiple U.S. presidential administrations in their efforts to rebuild community trust. This high-level engagement underscores the importance of social cohesion in national policy, reinforcing the objectives of SDG 16.

The contemporary relevance of this work is evident in discussions surrounding social media’s impact on youth mental health. This issue has direct implications for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), particularly its target to provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments. In response to growing concerns, legislative action has been taken globally to mitigate the risks associated with digital technology in schools.

• At least 22 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., have enacted or proposed legislation to restrict social media and cell phone use in schools.
• Other nations implementing similar restrictions include the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia, Finland, China, and several African countries.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on loneliness, social capital, and community decline connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on human well-being, community resilience, and societal health.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is directly addressed as the article frames loneliness as a public health crisis. It quotes the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory stating, “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health.” The text also links the rise of social media to an “epidemic of mental illness” among young people, explicitly connecting social isolation to negative health outcomes.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The core theme of the article revolves around Robert D. Putnam’s work on the “Collapse and Revival of American Community.” It discusses the decline of social capital, which is the network of relationships and trust essential for well-functioning societies. This directly relates to the goal of making communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by focusing on the social fabric and civic engagement that underpins community life.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant because the article highlights the decline of “social trust” and the presence of deep “social divisions.” Putnam’s work is cited as an effort to “rebuild community trust in America” and “repairing social divisions.” A society with low social trust and weak community ties struggles to maintain effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, which is a central aim of SDG 16.

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

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health

   The article’s central argument is that loneliness is an “epidemic” that harms health. The mention of increasing “social isolation and anxiety of children and teenagers” and an “epidemic of mental illness” directly aligns with the part of this target that aims to “promote mental health and well-being.”

2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning

   While not about physical infrastructure, this target’s emphasis on “participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management” is relevant. The article’s focus on reviving “civic and community groups” and strengthening “civic engagement” through initiatives like the Saguaro Seminar speaks to the need for participatory approaches to building and managing communities. Restoring the “American Community” is a form of sustainable settlement management from a social perspective.

3. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making

   The article’s discussion of declining “social trust” and the need for “societal cooperation” is foundational to achieving this target. Putnam’s work influenced policymakers to create policies to “rebuild community trust.” A high level of social capital and trust is a prerequisite for citizens to engage in participatory decision-making and for institutions to be perceived as responsive and inclusive.

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

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Prevalence of reported loneliness

  To measure progress towards Target 3.4 (promoting mental health), the article directly points to survey data as a key indicator. It states, “Recent surveys have shown that almost half of the American adult population report experiencing loneliness.” Tracking this percentage over time would be a direct measure of the loneliness epidemic.

• Level of participation in civic and community groups

  For Target 11.3 (participatory communities), the article uses the decline of traditional groups as a central symbol of eroding social capital. Putnam’s book title, “Bowling Alone,” refers to the demise of “the bowling league he had joined as a teenager.” Therefore, measuring the membership and participation rates in various civic, social, and community organizations would serve as an indicator of the strength of “bridging social capital” and community engagement.

• Level of social trust

  As an indicator for Target 16.7 (inclusive and participatory institutions), the article repeatedly emphasizes “social trust.” Putnam’s work is described as developing “proposals for reviving social trust to reconnect Americans.” Measuring the level of trust people have in each other and in their institutions is a key implied indicator for assessing the health of the social fabric necessary for a functional, participatory society.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: hks.harvard.edu