The far-reaching effects of loneliness

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

• Dr. Preeti Malani is a geriatrician who directs the National Poll on Health Aging. She is also the University of Michigan’s chief health officer.

• Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. She specializes in connections among social relationships, stress and health.

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

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