Applying The Surgeon General’s Parting Prescription To Colleges

The Use Of Community To Boost Health Outcomes
Dr. Vivek Murthy, as the U.S. Surgeon General, emphasized the importance of community as a key to improving health and well-being. His report highlighted how communities can drive healthier individuals, families, and society..* With the 2023 Pew Research and NPR reports indicating a 8% lack of close friends and a 75% prevalence of loneliness in America, the urgency of promoting community amidst challenges like declining public confidence in higher education became pressing.

Community Building In Higher Education
Murthy’s call to action was timely, as colleges and universities today face pressing challenges, such as declining public confidence in higher education and bans on diversehook premieries. Despite these challenges, higher education must build a stronger sense of community. He encouraged colleges to invest in resources that help students develop purpose, relationships, and services, which are crucial pillars for fostering living purposes and harmony.

The Pillar Of Purpose In Community Building
Define purpose as having a life goal that guides priorities and actions. Ler’s 2021 report noted that colleges can leverage job and life-driven curricula to empower students to achieve personal success. Additionally, a 2023 Harvard study showed that 58% of young adults worldwide lack meaningful purpose, highlighting the need for schools to invest in purposeful resources. Dr. Murthy also emphasized that teaching students to have purpose can reduce early-life health risks, such as premature death, stroke, and dementia.

The Pillar Of Relationships In Community Building
Relationships are vital to happiness and academic performance, but the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated loneliness. Murthy advocated for investments in social infrastructure, such as programs, policies, and spaces that foster connections between students. He noted that many incoming college cohorts have shifting worldviews and changing predictable worldviews, making it challenging to naturally equate individualism with community. Thus, investing in social connections can empower campuses to thrive in a world that often values personal autonomy while valuing community.

The Pillar Of Service In Community Building
Service is the practice of performing actions that benefit others, such as volunteering or providing a hand. Dr. Murthy highlighted the health benefits of service, including reduced risk of hypertension, stroke, and depression. He also linked service to personal, social, academic, and cognitive development, citing research on formal service-learning programs that foster a holistic approach to community building. Among the many college resources, strong service initiatives can empower students to perform meaningful acts of kindness, elevating the campus culture.