Tackling America’s Loneliness Epidemic | NBC Left Field

Nowadays, we are more connected to people than at any other time in history, thanks to technology. And yet many Americans report feeling lonelier and more isolated than ever before. Social isolation and loneliness have been shown to pose a growing threat to our health, having the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Heart disease, a weakened immune system, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are just some of the negative effects social isolation can have on us. For older Americans, the consequences of social isolation could be even worse. In Brooklyn, New York, the public library wants to help with America's loneliness epidemic. SUBSCRIBE to NBC LEFT FIELD: http://nbcnews.to/2rAQzwx Watch the latest from NBC LEFT FIELD:    • Can a Country Ban Students From Kissing, E...   What is NBC LEFT FIELD?    • The Wild Route: Leaving Work and Home for ...   FOLLOW NBC LEFT FIELD: Facebook: http://nbcnews.to/2rACLSM Instagram: http://nbcnews.to/2rAsQwp Twitter: http://nbcnews.to/2rAsWUN VISIT OUR SITE: http://nbcleftfield.com Visual journalist Carlos P. Beltran Motion graphics Titan Post Director of animation Hector do Nascimento __ ABOUT NBC LEFT FIELD: NBC Left Field is a new internationally-minded video troupe that makes short, creative documentaries and features specially designed for social media and set-top boxes. Our small team of cinematographers, journalists, animators and social media gurus aims to unearth stories and breathe creative life into current headlines. While pushing boundaries at home and abroad, NBC Left Field will also be serving as an experimental hub for NBC News style, treatment and audience engagement. #NBCLeftField