wellness
Social connection as medicine: the loneliness epidemic
Tasmanians are turning to group walks and community meals to counter rising isolation in Hobart and beyond.
How we reported this
Tasmanian health researchers at the University of Tasmania recorded a 22 percent increase in self-reported loneliness scores among adults aged 25 to 44 between 2023 and 2025, according to internal UTAS data released last month.
The jump coincides with continued hybrid work patterns and fewer face-to-face gatherings after the pandemic years, leaving many residents in Hobart and Launceston without regular social anchors. Local GPs report more patients presenting with stress-related symptoms that trace back to limited daily contact rather than clinical depression alone.
Walks and waterfront meet-ups fill the gap
Every Saturday morning at 7:30 the Hobart Waterfront parkrun draws 180 to 220 runners and walkers along the Derwent foreshore from the Elizabeth Street Pier. Organisers keep the event free and open to all paces, giving participants an automatic weekly point of connection without requiring new friendships to form on the spot. On Sundays, small groups from the kunanyi/Mt Wellington walking network meet at the Pinnacle Road car park for summit hikes that last two to three hours and end with coffee at the Springs lookout kiosk.
These regular outings cost nothing beyond transport and have become reliable entry points for people who moved to Tasmania during the 2020-2022 mainland exodus and still know few neighbours.
Evidence points to simple fixes
A 2024 longitudinal study published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that adults who attended at least one structured community activity per week showed a 31 percent lower rate of anxiety symptoms at 12-month follow-up. The same research tracked 1,850 Tasmanian participants and noted that those living alone gained the largest benefit from recurring group contact.
Residents looking to start can join the next Hobart Waterfront parkrun this Saturday or sign up for the free UTAS community walking calendar posted each month on the university website. Both require only a pair of comfortable shoes and a decision to show up once.