Making Connections: March 2024
Long before COVID, people in the U.S. and across the world have struggled with loneliness, isolation, and lack of social connection. In 2023, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness an epidemic and announced a strategy to help reverse this alarming trend. And months later, journalist Allison Gilbert reported for the New York Times about the appointment of world-renowned therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer as New York State’s Ambassador to Loneliness, the first such position in the country. Reimagine and Allison are co-hosting a new series to learn about strategies to build deeper connections, particularly among the most vulnerable.
The conversation kicks off with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Dr. Ruth Westheimer – psychosexual therapist, author, and lecturer – and Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University and lead scientific editor of the Surgeon General’s Advisory. Everyone is welcome. Bring your most pressing questions!