From Loneliness to Social Connection: Lessons From Research and a Global Pandemic

Decades of evidence across multiple scientific disciplines has pointed to widespread health impacts associated with social connection, or lack thereof. Despite this evidence, social connection has been widely assumed to be a personal issue primarily associated with emotional well-being, underappreciating the physical and public health ramifications. While a global pandemic raised awareness of loneliness and the importance of social connection, it simultaneously revealed gaps in our understanding. Drawing on her work with the U.S. Surgeon General Advisory and the broader scientific literature, Dr. Holt-Lunstad highlighted the scope of the issue, evidence of health implications, and challenges and opportunities for translating this evidence into practical solutions and policy.
For more information about the webinar, visit OBSSR's website: obssr.od.nih.g...