Loneliness is more than a fleeting feeling; it’s a pressing public health concern that has reached epidemic levels.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Poor social relationships, social isolation, and loneliness can also increase the risk of heart disease by 29%, the risk of stroke by 32%, and among older adults, chronic loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of developing dementia by approximately 50%.

In Weld County, a collaborative initiative called Acts of Connection is leading efforts to understand and address the factors that contribute to loneliness and disconnection to help build healthier, more connected communities.

A Shared Vision for Connection

The idea originated from the Thriving Weld Coalition’s Healthy Mind and Spirit workgroup, which explored objectives from the county’s past Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

“Mental health and well-being has been identified as one of the health priority areas for every CHIP we've had since 2012,” said WCDPHE Initiatives Manager Olivia Egen. “We knew we needed to move beyond simply sharing numbers and amplifying individual efforts by identifying a shared priority.”

Together, the workgroup identified loneliness and social isolation as public health priorities, especially after seeing the lingering effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on these issues.

“We realized that while many programs addressed individual mental health issues, there was nothing that directly tackled raising awareness on loneliness and isolation,” Egen said. “So, we focused on creating a plan to change that, and by 2023, momentum built around a structured approach to addressing it— and Acts of Connection Weld was born.”

At its heart, Acts of Connection is a partnership-driven initiative to bring together organizations, nonprofits, and residents to create a more connected, resilient community. The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), along with North Range Behavioral Health, the Colorado School of Public Health, and United Way of Weld County, are among the program’s key contributors.

“It’s a best practice. If you have these really large problems in a community, one organization’s not going to be able to have as effective programming or create change as bringing many organizations together,” Egen said.

Unsurprisingly, social connection is generally not something that can be done alone. That is partially because we need others to connect with, but also because our society — including our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, public policies and digital environments — plays a role in either facilitating or hindering social connection.

Building awareness, inspiring action

The initiative’s first phase centers on awareness. Even before the pandemic, three in five adults reported feeling lonely, yet fewer than 20% viewed it as a problem. Acts of Connection’s public outreach efforts aim to educate individuals and organizations about the impacts of loneliness and inspire them to take small steps toward connection, according to workgroup co-chairs Micaela Sanchez and Dannon Cox.

“Loneliness touches every aspect of life, from students struggling to find community to caregivers feeling isolated in their roles,” said Sanchez, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach at North Range Behavioral Health. “Raising awareness is the first step toward change.”

Collaboration is key to Acts of Connection. From libraries hosting programs that foster friendships to the county and municipalities designating January as Acts of Connection Month, community partners are instrumental in amplifying the initiative’s reach.

Dannon Cox, co-chair of the workgroup and professor at the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Northern Colorado, emphasized the grassroots nature of the program. “We want to be the catalyst and the hub for resources that other organizations can take hold of and use,” he said. “Organizations already doing great work can integrate connection into their efforts more intentionally.”

Tools for connection

Acts of Connection serves as a reminder that even the smallest gestures — a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand — can ripple outward to create a more connected community.

“Building connection is a skill that takes practice,” Sanchez explained. “Small, consistent efforts can make a big difference in strengthening social networks and improving well-being.”

One key component of Acts of Connection is the Connection Pledge, which encourages individuals and organizations to commit to fostering meaningful relationships. For individuals, this could mean setting goals to connect with neighbors, friends, or colleagues. For organizations, it involves creating environments where employees and community members feel a sense of belonging.

The initiative also offers tools like a Connection Quiz to help participants evaluate their levels of social connection and a resource guide to provide actionable tips for building and maintaining relationships, tailored to specific groups like youth and older adults.

Looking ahead

While the program’s initial phase focuses on awareness, future phases will expand to include workshops, events and programming tailored to specific groups, such as youth and older adults. These efforts will be informed by feedback from the community and data collected through Weld County’s 2025 Community Health Survey.

The future of Acts of Connection lies in continued collaboration. By leveraging the strengths of its partners, the initiative will work to expand its reach and effectiveness. “This isn’t a top-down approach,” Cox explained. “It’s about listening to the community and building solutions together.”

To learn more about Acts of Connection and the resources and opportunities available to build connections, visit the WCDPHE website at www.weldhealth.org.

Weld County utilizes tax dollars to provide essential services such as public health, emergency response, road maintenance, and more. These services, funded by local taxes, play a vital role in enhancing the community’s safety and quality of life. Learn more about these services in the next edition of County Roots.