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Loneliness epidemic

Posted 10:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2025

While social isolation affects people of all ages, it has become particularly prevalent among youth. This is the subject of a keynote presentation at the Adolescent Health Symposium Feb. 13.

Social connection expert to address loneliness crisis at UWL's Adolescent Health Symposium Feb. 13 

A growing body of research underscores the serious health risks linked to social isolation, with the impact on mortality comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to a 2023 report from the U.S. Surgeon General. While social isolation affects people of all ages, it has become particularly prevalent among youth. 

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a leading international expert on the intersection of social connection and health, will present on this pressing issue during her keynote address at the 2025 Adolescent Health Symposium offered by UW-La Crosse Graduate & Extended Learning. Her talk, "The Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation as Risk Factors for Our Nation’s Youth," will take place on Feb. 13, 2025, and will be livestreamed to the public. The session is free to attend, but online pre- registration is required to access the Zoom link. 

In the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's Report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” loneliness and isolation were documented as major risk factors for society. A recent report on the non-medical social determinants of health (SDOH) by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control stipulated that the most-commonly reported adverse SDOH was social isolation or loneliness.   

“Without question, the well-being of our youth represents our distinct responsibility and legacy for a genuinely healthful nation as we advance into the future,” says Dr. Gary Gilmore, a UWL professor of Public Health and director of Community Health Programs who serves as the host and director of the symposium. 

Register for Holt-Lunstad’s free, livestreamed keynote session

Join in the full symposium.  

The 30th Annual Adolescent Health Symposium, scheduled for Feb. 13–14, 2025 entirely online, will bring together educators, youth workers, community leaders, health professionals, and others dedicated to improving adolescent health and wellness. The symposium will feature four keynote presentations from notable health authorities from across the nation who will provide a clear understanding of the risk factors of loneliness and isolation for youth in society, coupled with the protective factors that can prepare youth for a greater sense of thriving and resilience.     

Keynote presentations will be followed by six one-hour, breakout sessions in which participants can choose for each hour from three optional tracks for greater depth addressing risk factors, health promotion and protective factors, or emerging health issues provided by 18 experienced and dedicated small group facilitators sharing their insights and resources.    

“Overall, the two-day event will provide salient national keynote updates regarding adolescent health promotion coupled with in-depth breakout sessions featuring hands-on learning activities through presentation and discussion, accurate and up-to-date resources, and plenty of time for questions to be raised,” says Gilmore. “Come join us as we navigate together for a thriving, more healthful nation!” 

Register for just Holt-Lunstad’s free, livestreamed keynote session. The deadline for the Early Registration Savings is Jan. 24. 

Learn more and register for the fully online Adolescent Health Symposium.


About the keynote presentation

Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Despite the evidence, social connection has been widely assumed to be a personal issue primarily associated with emotional well-being, underappreciating the mental, cognitive, and physical health ramifications. While the COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness, it simultaneously revealed gaps in our understanding on what to do about it. Drawing upon her work with the U.S. Surgeon General Advisory and the broader scientific literature, Holt-Lunstad will highlight the scope of why social connection is important at every stage of life and how to prepare for a healthier future. 

Participants will:

  • Review the types of salient impacts derived from the risk factors of loneliness and isolation.  
  • Explore key protective measures that can make positive impacts on the lives of our youth. 
  • Consider realistic and reasonable next steps that can be derived from the Symposium Presentations and Breakout Sessions. 

About the speaker

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University. She is also the founding scientific chair and board member for the U.S. Foundation for Social Connection and the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection. Holt-Lunstad is an international scientific expert whose research focuses on the individual and population health effects, biological mechanisms, and effective strategies to mitigate risk and promote protection associated with social connection.  

Her research has been seminal in the recognition of social isolation and loneliness as risk factors for early mortality. As the lead scientific editor for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” her work also focuses on translating evidence into practice and policy. She serves as a scientific advisor and regularly consults for organizations aimed at addressing this issue across sectors. She has provided expert testimony in a U.S. Congressional Hearing, served as a member of multiple National Academy of Sciences consensus committees, the UK Cross Departmental Loneliness Team, European Joint Research Council, World Health Organization, and a subject matter expert for the Gravity Project, Commit to Connect, the National Clearinghouse of Interventions, and the CDC. Her work has been widely recognized within her discipline, having received several awards and being regularly highlighted in major media outlets.  

Learn more about the Adolescent Health Symposium and register for the keynote session.  


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