Lisa Marsh Ryerson

Loneliness as a Risk Factor: Making Connections to Improve Health

Lisa Marsh Ryerson, Lynn Goldman, Sachin Jain, Jeremy Nobel, Anand Parekh, Brian Van Buren, Phyllis Foxworth, Satya

Experts, healthcare leaders, and policymakers convened to address the rising epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, which carry mortality risks comparable to smoking and exacerbate syndemics with obesity and addiction. The discussion highlighted disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ elders and rural communities, while showcasing successful business models like CareMore Health's social prescriptions that have driven a 75% increase in patient engagement. Strategic recommendations included adopting national screening metrics, integrating connection into value-based care, and deploying human-centered interventions to mitigate the $7 billion annual Medicare burden and reverse declining life expectancy.