Shot of Lheidli T'enneh park

By Sam Bennison

To Your Health

Loneliness can make you 30 per cent more likely to die prematurely, according to new research

Mar 4, 2025 | 5:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE—A health condition thats worse than smoking 15 packs a day. Simon Fraser University (SFU), alongside others, have released the first ever National Guidelines for Social Connections to encourage both individuals and policy makers to prioritize creating a more vibrant social fabric.

“We don’t say that you need five friends, but we do want you to think about your network and think about ‘am I getting enough to have enough people to turn to at any given moment,'” says Kiffer Card an assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU.

Card adds that diversifying your social network is key, including forming bonds with co-workers, meeting close friends but also talking to strangers. Ultimately, if you don’t have people you can communicate with the stress will eat at your health.

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“When you’re stressed, you have more inflammation in your body and your immune system is less functional,” explains Card. “There are these really concrete biological pathways, that are integrated with our stress responses.”

Loneliness can also impact your cardiovascular system.

So, what does Prince George do to encourage social connection? One start is the recreation guides that are put out by the City of Prince George and seven Community Associations. In addition, the City of Prince George also hosts large special events, such as Canada Day in the Park, Cruisin’ Classics Car Show, Winterfest, and more. However, Card says that more needs to change with how our society is set up structurally to prevent open communication.

“Private vehicles driving to and from work, small cubicles at work, smaller living spaces, such as studio apartments that don’t allow people to connect,” says Card. “Also, the cost of living crisis makes it more expensive for people to go out and go to bars and clubs and other venues. All of those costs, restrictions and pressures on individuals are making it more difficult for people to connect.”

The guidelines highlight that building social connections is more than an individual problem as it takes a community to uplift someones spirits.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com