America’s Pursuit of Happiness: What Role for the Health Promotion Profession?

AI Summary

Nation reflecting on right to happiness amid acrimonious politics, social media harms, and rising depression and suicidal ideation.
Social media and divisive discourse erode youth self-image and contribute to worsening mental health across generations.
Health promotion professionals must redouble efforts to promote proven everyday health practices that bolster emotional wellbeing and reduce population harm.

Am J Health Promot. 2026 Jul 19:8901171261471657. doi: 10.1177/08901171261471657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the year of America’s semi quincentennial, many are reflecting on our nation’s proclaimed right to happiness. What would our Founding Fathers make of our acrimonious and divisive politics, of the role of social media in the diminished self-images of our youth, or of the steady rise in depression and suicidal ideation over the past decade? This editorial joins debates about what conditions are contributing to declines in happiness and challenges health promotion professionals to focus on the proven role that common health practices play in bolstering emotional well-being.

PMID:42473150 | DOI:10.1177/08901171261471657

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