The CURO Community is addressing one of America’s most profound health crises
For Immediate Release
May 16, 2023
In a recent letter published in a health advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation put forth by the Surgeon General of the United States, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated:
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity. And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished.”
Scientific literature and studies investigating the relationship between one’s level of social connection and health, both preceding and following the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate positive effects of quality connections and relationships with individual and broader societal health outcomes. From 2003 to 2020, the Advisory presents that the United States has seen a drastic rise in societal isolation in conjunction with decreased social connection leading to worsening health outcomes throughout the country.
The Christ Medicus Foundation’s CURO Health and Wellness Community is providing its members with community and accompaniment needed to combat this crisis.
Assistant Director of Wellness, Healing, and Evangelization at CMF CURO, Rebecca Wilson said: “From the beginning, we hear about our need for community. Genesis tells us ‘It is not good for man to be alone’. We are made for relationship. Humans flourish when we are seen, known, and both receive and give love. Seeing our whole person through this lens, we realize that it is in seeking community and relationship that we can become the people we are created to be. This starts primarily with our relationship with Christ the Divine Physician. Once we have the realization that we are good and we are loved, we see our whole person as a gift. When we strive to care for our whole person, we can live fully alive. “
Looking to the Divine Physician and the model of healing and whole health He established, CURO launched an all-new set of wellness programs last fall to help members encounter Christ’s healing love and combat the crisis of loneliness and isolation in our society.
“The disciples walking on the road to Emmaus were downcast, broken, confused, and alone when they encountered Jesus” said James Wilson, Director of Operations and Marketing at CMF CURO. “They could not see that it was Jesus speaking with them, leading them into hope, healing, mission, and communion. In our own physical and spiritual brokenness, Jesus follows this same playbook: He comes along side us, reminds us of our identity, heals us through communion with Him, and sends us out to rejoin and witness to the community, to be Christ to others.”
“But first we must walk with Him” Wilson stated. “This healing is always initiated through relationship.”
“As a Catholic health ministry, we know that communion with God, through the Eucharist and the Sacraments, and Christ-centered community with others is the source of all healing” said Louis Brown, J.D., Christ Medicus Foundation Executive Director. “Through our CURO health and wellness program, individuals and families enter into greater communion with Christ’s love and into greater communion with each other”.
To this end, the CURO Health and Wellness Program is holding a webinar on June 1st at 7 PM Eastern, entitled:
Healing Communion: Journey to Health & Wholeness Through Christ’s Healing Love
In addition to the CURO team, the webinar features Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center, Jackie Mulligan, CEO & Foundress of Reform Wellness, & Fr. Craig Vasek, of the National Eucharistic Revival.
The Christ Medicus Foundation and CMF CURO invite all men and women to look to the Divine Physician’s healing love, the Sacraments, and Christ-centered Catholic community for greater health, healing and wholeness.