Loneliness deserves attention from health policy, technology, and cultural standpoints, with critical analysis of how our built environments contribute to social isolation.  

Health consequences of social isolation and loneliness include worse morbidity and mortality, and “social prescribing” is one way to intervene.

Individualistic approaches to the collective problem of climate change are ethically inadequate. 

Loneliness is an endemic experience of immigrants to the United States that could be mitigated by cultural brokerage practices in clinical settings. 

AI technology can be implemented to avoid the drawback of diminishing social connections. 

Growing familiarity with health risks of loneliness and isolation highlight the importance of social connection in lived environments and communities.

Research is needed to determine the direction of causality between loneliness and internet use.

Forever a Work in Progress visually explores complexities of isolation as one consequence of navigating a culturally hyphenated identity. 

Sources of patient demand are also sources of light pollution that compromise rest.

What did a hospitalist physician learn from a patient about how to slow down?

Three digital drawings invite interpretations of a cornered figure’s orientations to space, color, and its own boundaries and self.  

Loneliness is linked to health problems and is comorbid with authoritarian politics.

Dr Vivek H. Murthy joins Ethics Talk to discuss loneliness as a public health threat and the connection between loneliness, public health responsiveness, and the health of our democracy.

Dr Lisa Fuller joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article: “How Should Organizations and Clinicians Help Marginalized Patients Manage Loneliness as a Harm of Climate Change?”

Dr Jane Lee joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Drs Gabriel Robles and Latoya Small: “What Should Students Learn About the Importance of Cultural Brokering in Immigrant Communities?”

Dr Elena Portacolone joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Daisy Elise Feddoes: “Should Artificial Intelligence Play a Role in Cultivating Social Connections Among Older Adults?”

Dr Andrew P. Smith joins Ethics Talk to discuss his article, coauthored with Dr Hasah Alheneidi: “The Internet and Loneliness.”

Julia Bhuiyan joins Ethics Talk to discuss her painting: “Forever a Work in Progress.”

Kathleen Wong joins Ethics Talk to discuss her comic: “Lit, Unread, Unrested.” 

Dr Zachary G. Jacobs joins Ethics Talk to discuss his comic: “Isolation, Connection, and Learning to Slow Down.”

 

Dr Amy E. Wendling joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article: “On Health and Loneliness.” 

Dr Pamela B. Teaster joins Ethics Teaching and Learning to discuss public health ethics teaching during the waning COVID-19 pandemic.