The Power of Community: A Secret Ingredient for Health in 2025

As we approach the end of 2024, many of us are already thinking about our health goals for 2025 - eating healthier, exercising more, or sleeping better. While diet and exercise frequently top the resolution list, one often-overlooked factor could have a surprising impact on your health: Community!  What? Your doctor hasn’t talked to you about the importance of community on your health?  If you’re skeptical about the power connection and community can have on your physical well-being, the story of Roseto, Pennsylvania will change your mind.

A Small Town with a Big Lesson

In the 1960s, researchers stumbled upon the small town of Roseto, Pennsylvania, and discovered an incredible health mystery: the residents had significantly lower rates of heart disease compared to other cities in the United States. In fact, men in Roseto were half as likely to die of heart disease as those in neighboring communities. And this wasn’t just a statistical anomaly; the trend continued for decades.

What made this so fascinating? The lower rates of heart disease were not because the people of Roseto were health fanatics. Quite the opposite:

• They ate diets rich in meat, pasta, and lard (not exactly a heart-healthy diet).
• Many smoked cigarettes and drank wine regularly.
• Exercise wasn’t a cornerstone of their lives.

The Community Secret?

By all current standards, the residents of Roseto should have been experiencing the same rates of heart disease as everyone else. But they weren’t. From 1954 to 1961, Roseto had almost no heart attacks among men aged 55 to 64, typically a high-risk group. For men over 65, the death rate was half the national average. After ruling out genetics, diet, and other factors, researchers concluded Roseto’s health miracle resulted from its tight-knit community. To put this in perspective, if Roseto had followed the national average, it would have experienced more than three times as many deaths from heart attacks among men and over four times as many among women during this period, highlighting the remarkable impact of their close-knit community on heart health

The Roseto Effect

The people of Roseto lived closely connected lives. Multigenerational families lived under the same roof or within walking distance. Neighbors knew each other well and had a deep sense of social responsibility. People gathered for meals, celebrated together, supported one another in times of hardship, and truly prioritized human connection. 

This strong social bond protected their health - what researchers would later call “The Roseto Effect.” As an interesting additional benefit, Roseto also had low crime rates and few public assistance applications.

However, the health benefits disappeared as the younger generations of Rosetans began to move away, adopt more isolated lifestyles, and live in less close-knit communities. Their rates of heart disease and other illnesses rose to match the national average.

The Health Risks of Isolation

Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a similar challenge on a much larger scale. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed how we connect with others. Even as life has returned to “normal” for many, the ongoing effects of isolation remain. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of heart disease by 29%, stroke by 32%, and dementia by 50%.

The report also found isolation can have the same impact on mortality as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Let that sink in—15 cigarettes a day! Why is no one talking about this?

While we’ve long known diet, exercise, and sleep are vital for health, the Roseto Effect demonstrates our relationships and community matter just as much.

How to Prioritize Community for Your Health in 2025

As you set your health goals for the New Year, yes, I encourage you to incorporate healthy diet and exercise goals, but I also strongly encourage you to think beyond the scale or the gym. Consider how you can build or strengthen your sense of community. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Reconnect with old friends – Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to recently and schedule time to catch up.
2. Join a group or club – Find people who share your interests, whether a book club, hiking group, or cooking class.
3. Prioritize family time – Make regular family dinners or game nights a tradition.
4. Volunteer in your community – Giving back is a great way to feel connected and fulfilled.
5. Be intentional about relationships – Instead of texting, pick up the phone or meet face-to-face whenever possible.
6. Participate in community events – Find out what events are taking place in your community each month and find ways to get involved.

A New Year, A New Focus on Connection

The truth is, forming meaningful connections takes effort, especially when life gets busy. The story of Roseto, Pennsylvania, is a powerful reminder we are not meant to go through life alone. As you step into 2025, ask yourself: Who are the people I want to share this journey with? Building a close community might be your most important health goal this upcoming year!