ENP Forums/NextWorks Strategy presents: “The Isolation Epidemic”: It Could Be Your Next Employee Engagement & Customer Retention Problem. Almost 50% of Americans state that they feel isolated, alone, and disconnected, (that was before the Pandemic). What I call the “Isolation Epidemic.” It is not just an U.S. issue; the UK has even named a Minister of Loneliness. Why is this important to you as a CEO? Contrary to what you might think, studies show the most affected group are millennials and the generations to follow.