Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

The far-reaching effects of loneliness

Members of the Hopkins Men’s Shed
Members of the Hopkins Men’s Shed begin work on putting new hardware on cabinets in a room at the Hopkins Activity Center on Sept. 26, 2019. The group, which was started in 2016, brings older men together to work on projects, but also serves to fight isolation and loneliness among older men.
Peter Cox | MPR News

Loneliness and the negative health effects associated with it have seen an increased focus from public health officials and governments in recent years. It’s frequently raised as a challenge for older adults, people in households with lower incomes and residents in rural areas. However, nothing is immune from the threat of loneliness, with young people and workplaces also feeling its reach.

While efforts have increased over time to address loneliness in our communities and in national policy, public health experts on the international level are calling for a unified approach to addressing the problem on an international scale.

Guest host Chris Farrell talks with a gerontologist and a psychologist about the effects of loneliness on our health and what action looks like in addressing this public health threat.

Guests

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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