Build social capital … It’s vital to living life fully! Published April 22, 2011 By Dr. (Col.) Brian Hayes 60th Medical Group commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. -- I love spring! It is a time to truly live, love, and simply be amazed at all that life offers as it springs forth around us. It is a time to be thankful for who we are, what we are, and what we have become. I invite each of you to make the most of this special time. I share with you one of the most important things you can do during the spring season, build some social capital. What is social capital? It's having a network of personal friends and belonging to supportive groups where you build personal relationships. If you have this social capital then you are much more likely to live longer, live happier, and live a healthier life. Studies have shown that people with social capital are at lower risk for high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and suicide. A great example of this is an Italian community that moved to the United States years ago but kept their community ties intact after settling in the Northeastern U.S. Scientists were intrigued by the fact that these people lived longer, healthier lives when compared to neighboring towns. When they studied the town, they found these people had a phenomenal network of support. For example, if someone lost their job or was ill, there was always someone there to help out. They woke up every day knowing that no matter what happens, they had family or friends who were ready to take care of them. This social capital decreased their daily stress level and likewise their blood pressure, risk of stroke, heart attack and suicide. To reap the benefits of social capital, you need to know the support is there so your daily stress level is less. In the Air Force, the support is there. We just need to make sure everyone knows it. Social capital is like money in the bank--you make deposits when you help other people and take withdrawals when you need help. You may have experienced this when you did something nice for someone and they replied "I owe you one." The movie "Pay it Forward" was also based on this idea of passing good deeds on to the next person. The bottom line is each of us should know someone we can call when we need help. I suggest a few ways to ensure the support is there. If you must drink, don't drink alone...build that social capital. If you must smoke, don't smoke alone...that's why the Air Force invented smoking areas. They don't want you sitting in your car puffing on a cigarette alone when you can be building that social capital with your smoking buddies. That way, when you are in the hospital years from now with lung cancer, you'll have plenty of friends to support you. Have a potluck at work or a block party Friday evening on your street. Above all, be nice to people, build that social capital so it's there when you need it. Dr. Ichiro Kawachi, one of my professors in social epidemiology at Harvard University wrote, "Loneliness kills ... Social connectedness is among the most important predictors of health and independence as we age--almost as strong as not smoking or being overweight." Another of my professors, Dr. Lisa Berkman, the Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy and Epidemiology Director, Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies wrote, "Social isolation may create a chronically stressful condition to which the organism responds by aging faster...We as human beings are not meant to live solitary lives ... talking, touching, and relating to others is essential to our well being." I am honored to be with you. I thank God every day for my life, my family, the awesome people with whom I serve, and the chance to live in this great country. May God bless you with a bank account overflowing with social capital as we take care of each other and this great nation!