San Mateo County expands programs after declaring loneliness a public‑health crisis; October event planned

President David Canniff of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors said the county, which he described as the first U.S. county to declare loneliness a public‑health crisis, is expanding programs meant to connect residents and will hold a public event in October.

Canniff cited U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call that loneliness is an epidemic and told listeners that "the numbers throughout the United States relative to those people feeling lonely was at about 50 percent," adding that San Mateo County survey results show a similar prevalence. "This board of supervisors declared loneliness a public health crisis in the United States of America, the first county to do such," he said.

To address the problem, Canniff said his office created a series called "Loneliness to Light," and that the county is investing in measures such as peer counseling for older adults and creating "spaces of opportunity to connect." He said the county "continues to make significant investments" but did not provide dollar amounts or identify funding sources.

Canniff said he will speak at an event in October at the Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium to discuss "what loneliness is and how we can make sure that we're connecting people with the resources they need." The remarks were presented as an update on the board’s ongoing work; no motions or votes were announced during the remarks.

The county’s survey methodology and the exact funding behind the programs were not detailed during the update. Canniff framed the work as part of a multi‑year effort by his office and the county to reduce social isolation among residents, particularly older adults.