Advocacy
Our Policy Priorities
The Foundation for Social Connection Action Network (F4SCAN) is proud to announce its 2025-2027 policy priorities, outlining a bold, cross-sector strategy to combat social isolation and loneliness and promote meaningful social connections. Recognizing the profound health, economic, and societal consequences of social disconnection, this agenda advocates for targeted investments and policy reforms spanning health, education, employment, infrastructure, arts and culture, nutrition, and research.
Latest Advocacy
Action Network on Capitol Hill
As a result of our collective advocacy, we have seen an unprecedented level of momentum toward building socially connected communities and addressing social isolation and loneliness. See how the Action Network is contributing to this progress by viewing our letters of support, comments, and legislative endorsements.
Social Connection in the MAHA Elevate Model
The MAHA ELEVATE (Make America Health Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-Based Approaches Through Evidence) Model is part of the current administration’s plan to address chronic disease in America.
The model provides $100 million to fund 3-year agreements for up to 30 proposals that promote health and prevention for Traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Proposals would utilize approaches not currently covered by Medicare that can support the medical care that Medicare beneficiaries receive.
This funding opportunity highlights social connection, specifically encouraging programs to consider integrating the role of positive social connections in their interventions.
Our Policy Goals
Increase public awareness
We must increase awareness and understanding of social isolation and loneliness as well as highlight solutions to promote connection. Increasing awareness will have a multiplying effect on our other policy goals, such as improving access to and uptake of relevant services and supports and promoting research.
Enhance social services and support
Although solutions to address social isolation, loneliness, and connection will vary, stakeholders should leverage existing social services and supports. This is particularly timely with the recent interest in addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) and drivers of disparities.
Advance health services and supports
Social connection is a social determinant of health that affects physical, emotional, and mental health. Healthcare payers, providers, and policymakers must consider how to best utilize health services and supports to strengthen the protective factor of social connection.
Leverage innovative solutions
Advances in technologies hold the promise to connect individuals with people, services, and programs. Continued innovation in telehealth, social networks, assistive devices, and other consumer solutions may address social isolation and loneliness, while acknowledging the potential risk these technologies may have in increasing a sense of disconnection.
Advance research
Our policy goals are informed by evidence on the effects of isolation and loneliness and effective interventions. We urge policymakers to promote research activities and dissemination by reauthorizing legislation, advocating for federal research grants, and working with organizations representing researchers to summarize the knowledge base and current gaps in research.
Explore Our Policy Priorities by Sector
We believe all sectors of society must be leveraged to effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness. We call upon stakeholders from all backgrounds to explore what they can advocate for to address this epidemic.
Our Committees
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee meets monthly to spearhead the Action Network’s policy work. Throughout the year, the Committee ensures the Action Network’s policy priorities are comprehensive, consensus-based, and rooted in evidence. In addition, the Committee leads the Action Network’s engagement with congressional champions, as well as leaders at the state and local levels and supports the organizing for Advocacy Day each Global Loneliness Awareness Week in June.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee meets monthly to spearhead the Action Network’s advocacy work. Throughout the year, the Committee leads the Action Network’s engagement with congressional champions, as well as leaders at the state and local levels and supports the organizing for Advocacy Day each Global Loneliness Awareness Week in June.