For the better part of a decade, I was an adjunct professor teaching graduate-level students at Northern Kentucky University.

During one of the classes I taught, I referred to a book entitled “Bowling Alone,” written by Harvard University professor Robert D. Putnam.

Putnam’s premise was that Americans used to educate themselves in all forms of in-person social intercourse and enrich the fabric of their social lives. He argues that the decline of such intercourse undermines the active civic engagement a nation’s strong democracy requires.

More recently, aspects of Putnam’s book have been brought to the “silver screen” by Rebecca and Pete Davis with their movie “Join or Die.”

The one hour, 39-minute production offers detailed insight into people having interaction with or ties to clubs, organizations, houses of worship, and related groups. The movie notes that joining is America’s heritage, going back as far as our Revolutionary War.

But, for some reason, Americans are not joining groups.

Just look at the decline of congregations in mainline Protestant houses of worship, the dwindling numbers at organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and service clubs. Groups who play sports such as tennis, golf, and, yes, bowling are in decline.

And what is the status of dinner club groups, dance clubs, or bridge card playing clubs? They, too, appear to be dinosaurs in the making.

This past year, the U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released a detailed report on Americans’ loneliness or isolation. The multi-page report says those two maladies have negative and profound effects on a person’s mental, physical, and societal health.

On physical health, the CDC’s research cited “consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease, a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, and a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, lacking social connection increases risk of premature death by more than 60 percent.”

Focusing upon the sole aspects of just volunteering, Dawn C. Carr in Psychology Today research cites the following reasons for giving of your time and talents:

∫ Volunteers live longer and are healthier.

∫ Volunteering establishes strong relationships.

∫ Volunteering is good for your career.

∫ Volunteering is good for society.

∫ Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose.

Located in Washington, the Pew Research Center conducted in-depth research on joining, participating, or leaving groups.

Here are some high-level aspects found in their research:

∫ Joining a group allows you to accomplishing things you cannot accomplish on your own.

∫ Joining a group helps you keep up with news and information about subjects that matter to you.

∫ Joining a group allows you to meet new people who share your interests.

The following factors affect the decision to join a group, Pew found:

∫ You think the group can accomplish its goals.

∫ The group engages in productive discussion.

∫ You have the personal time to allocate to the group.

∫ You can cover the financial cost of belonging to the group.

∫ The group conducts its business online and in person.

∫ You might already know someone in the group

And Pew found the following reasons why people leave groups:

∫ The group lacks leadership.

∫ You have lost interest in the group.

∫ The group could not accomplish its goals.

∫ There’s a lack of respect among group members.

∫ The group contacts you too often or directs you too much information.

∫ The group charged you with too much responsibility.

In addition, an interesting aspect revealed by Pew: Internet users have a higher propensity to participate in groups.

As Spock once said on “Star Trek,” “Live long and prosper.”

I add: Join a group to contribute your talents. The action will take care of your physical and mental well-being.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the Navy. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit.