EP 88: Designing Relationships for Health | Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Design Lab with Bon Ku

Does loneliness make us sicker? Do people who have more friends live longer? Why is loneliness a public health issue?

Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience, and the Martin B. Hickman distinguished scholar at Brigham Young University. She is also the founding scientific chair of the U.S. Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness and Foundation for Social Connections.

Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s research is focused on understanding the long-term health effects, biological mechanisms, and effective strategies to mitigate risk and promote protection associated with social connection. Her work has been seminal in the recognition of social isolation and loneliness as risk factors for early mortality. She serves as a scientific advisor and regularly consults for organizations across sectors aimed at addressing this issue. She has provided expert testimony in a US Congressional Hearing, consults with the office of the US Surgeon General, served as a member of the UK Cross Departmental Loneliness Team, a member of a National Academy of Sciences consensus committee, and a subject matter expert for the Gravity Project and Commit to Connect the national clearinghouse of interventions. Her work has been widely recognized within her discipline, including several awards, and is regularly highlighted in major media outlets.

Episode Mentions:

Julianne’s Website: https://www.julianneholtlunstad.com

Julianne’s Academic Site: https://julianneholtlunstad.byu.edu

Coalition to End Social Isolation and Lonliness

Foundation for Social Connection

Gravity Project

Article: Reducing Social Isolation Isn’t Rocket Science, or Is It? - Psychology Today

Article: Social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of death from heart attack, stroke - Science Daily

Article: Loneliness among older people: A research roundup and 5 tips for covering the topic - The Journalist’s Resource

Follow Julianne: Twitter | Insta | LinkedIn

Episode Website: https://mailchi.mp/designlabpod/julianneholtlunstad

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Production by Robert Pugliese

Edit by Fernando Queiroz

Cover Design by Eden Lew

Theme song by Emmanuel Houston

Indexed in the Library of Congress: ISSN 2833-2032