{"id":204485,"date":"2026-08-27T13:17:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=204485"},"modified":"2026-08-27T13:18:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:18:13","slug":"first-partner-siebel-newsom-launches-californias-first-social-health-council-to-strengthen-community-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=204485","title":{"rendered":"First Partner Siebel Newsom Launches California\u2019s Social Health Council to Strengthen Community Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento, CA…First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom convenes state and local leaders through California\u2019s first-ever Social Health Council to make social connection a public health priority and develop a roadmap for strengthening belonging across California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom today announced the launch of the first-ever California Social Health Council, bringing together leaders from across the state to advance social connection and address loneliness as a public health priority.<\/p>\n

The Social Health Council brings together leaders across sectors\u2014including state and local government, academia, tribal, faith and community organizations \u2014 to develop recommendations to strengthen opportunities for Californians to build meaningful connections and feel a sense of belonging.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cCalifornia has never been afraid to lead, and on an issue as fundamental as human connection, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to show the rest of the country what is possible. We have put that vision into action through our California Love, California Strong initiative, and now we are thrilled to launch California\u2019s first-ever Social Health Council, bringing together the people and institutions who can help build social connection into the fabric of our daily lives.\u201d<\/h4>\n
First Partner Jennifer Siebel\u00a0Newsom<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Why social connection matters<\/h2>\n

The launch builds on California\u2019s commitment to creating healthier, more connected communities through the First Partner\u2019s\u00a0California Love, California Strong<\/a>\u00a0initiative and comes as growing research underscores the significant impact of loneliness and social isolation on individual and community well-being.<\/p>\n

One in six people worldwide experiences loneliness, with young people among those most affected, and loneliness is associated with approximately 870,000 deaths each year, according to the\u00a0World Health Organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that when relationships, environments, and social conditions break down, the effects of loneliness and isolation can be profound,\u00a0 impacting our health, quality of life, longevity, and the resilience of our communities,\u201d\u00a0said Kim Johnson, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency<\/strong>. \u201cBuilding a healthier California for all means strengthening the social foundations that help people and communities thrive. The Social Health Council brings together diverse perspectives and expertise to deepen our understanding of the connection between social well-being and health and turn that knowledge into meaningful action.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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The World Health Organization has identified social connection as a critical component of health and well-being, alongside physical and mental health. Its\u00a0Commission on Social Connection<\/a>\u00a0has called for greater investment in the social infrastructure, policies, and community-level solutions that help people connect and belong.<\/p>\n

In the United States, opportunities for everyday connection remain limited. Only\u00a036% of adults report getting together with people in their neighborhood<\/a>\u00a0at least once a year to do something positive for the community, while 44% report that they only sometimes, rarely, or never receive the social and emotional support they need.<\/p>\n

California is responding by bringing together the innovative leaders, experts,\u00a0 and institutions that can help build connection into everyday life.<\/p>\n

Strengthening social connection across California<\/h2>\n

California has already been working on ways to improve social connection, and this Council will weave those together to recommend a comprehensive approach to combatting social isolation. With more than 1,000 public libraries, 280 state parks, nearly 2,500 community schools, and thousands of places of worship and community centers, California is rich in spaces where people can gather and connect. The state also offers free, statewide mental health resources for children and families through\u00a0BrightLife Kids<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Soluna<\/a>. Plus, California is home to the nation\u2019s largest service corps, underscoring the multitude of opportunities for communities to gather, build connections, and give back.<\/p>\n

The Social Health Council will help connect these efforts while identifying opportunities to make connecting with others easier in everyday life \u2014 from strengthening third spaces and community programming to expanding opportunities for service, volunteering, and cross-generational connection.<\/p>\n

The Council will focus on three key goals:<\/p>\n