Signal The 2023 US Surgeon General advisory is cited as what moved loneliness into design

Summary

The Wellness Communities and Real Estate Initiative credits the US Surgeon General's 2023 advisory on loneliness and isolation with bringing social connection into real estate design. The advisory drew attention to something researchers had documented for years. The built environment actively shapes whether people connect with one another, and can also prevent connection. According to the Initiative, this body of research is now influencing design and programming decisions on individual projects. Developers are responding with porches, gathering places, walkable layouts and planned activities for residents. The Initiative argues that social connection is not a soft amenity but a design choice with measurable effects on health and asset performance.