MPR News with Angela Davis

The loneliness epidemic: Why we’re lonely and how we can build connections

Three women sitting in a broadcast studio
MPR News Host Angela Davis (left) talks with Roxanne Prichard (center), a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of St. Thomas, and Stephanie Hooker (right), a research investigator with HealthPartners Institute and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Family Medicine and Community Health, in an MPR News studio in St. Paul on Wednesday.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

Here’s a striking piece of information: Social isolation is as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Loneliness is an epidemic in the United States. We’re approaching one year since the U.S. Surgeon General released a groundbreaking report on loneliness and isolation.

Two researchers joined MPR News host Angela Davis to help us understand why so many of us feel lonely, and why our mental health is so closely tied to serious physical health impacts.

They also talked about practical strategies to help us feel better.

Because lots of us feel this way — at least half of us have measurable levels of loneliness.

Guests:  

  • Stephanie Hooker is a research investigator with HealthPartners Institute, and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Family Medicine and Community Health.

  • Roxanne Prichard is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of St. Thomas. 

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.