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Data from the Dakotas and the Midwest shows persistent economic, health, and education challenges facing many Lakota communities, alongside ongoing efforts to preserve culture and rebuild long-term stability.

American family life is often discussed as if it rises or falls based on private choices alone. But a growing body of research points to something bigger and less comfortable: families don’t operate in a vacuum. When social connection breaks down at the community level, the impact shows up in mental health, youth outcomes, trust, and long-run stability. Three major research streams help clarify what’s happening: public health research on loneliness and isolation, national yo