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Nextdoor Launches Landmark Study Looking to Address Loneliness

Written by Jennie Sager

According to research, people who had strong social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival.

Belonging is a universal human need, and in every corner of the world people are yearning to feel more connected with real people in real places in real ways.  At Nextdoor, we know that these strong meaningful relationships are crucial to good health and that change starts with each of us opening our doors and building connections with the people nearest to us, our neighbours. 

That’s why we’ve teamed up with leading researchers to launch the KIND Challenge – a global study that looks at how to reduce social isolation and loneliness. The KIND (Kindness Is Nextdoor) Challenge will encourage neighbours to build deeper, real-life connections within their community.

Nextdoor is working with three top researchers to analyse the survey results: Australia-based Dr. Michelle Lim, a leading expert on loneliness and health; UK-based Dr. Pamela Qualter, a leading expert in child and adolescent loneliness; and US-based Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a leading expert on social isolation and the influence of both the quantity and the quality of social relationships on long-term health.

Dr. Lim who is leading the multi-country effort says that, “This study is the first of its kind in terms of global scale as it is being conducted across three countries. This important effort will examine the effects of these connecting behaviours and whether these small acts can improve one’s quality of life, health, and wellbeing. By participating in the project, participants will help us advance the knowledge in this area which is really exciting.”

Loneliness is a worldwide health problem: 

Loneliness is a worldwide health problem: 

  • Research in Australia found that 1 in 4 people felt lonely at least three days a week. 
  • In the United States, a Cigna study found that over 60% of adults report feeling lonely, which can have the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it more dangerous than obesity. 
  • According to research from the BBC, 40% of people in the UK under the age of 25 report feeling lonely often or very often, and 27% of people over the age of 75 report feeling the same.

As the essential online neighbourhood hub, Nextdoor has a unique opportunity to help break the cycle of social isolation and loneliness, and we are proud to partner with leading researchers on this important work. 

We are actively seeking participants now. Rest assured that Nextdoor will not have access to any of your data or personal information that you provide. 

Participate here – https://bit.ly/2yPTbfS


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