In this Lunch and Learn session, Cam Hostinar, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at UC Davis, highlights the critical role of social relationships in health outcomes. She discusses the epidemic of loneliness, its biological and psychological consequences, and practical solutions like social prescribing to improve patient care.
Quick insights
- Social relationships have a measurable impact on physical and mental health outcomes.
- The strength of social connections can reduce stress responses and improve longevity.
- Loneliness and isolation are linked to poor health outcomes, comparable to smoking or obesity.
- Solutions like social prescribing—non-medical prescriptions for community activities—offer creative ways to address loneliness.
- The quality and depth of social relationships matter more than sheer quantity.
00:00 – Introduction by Dr. Scott Fishman
Dr. Scott Fishman opens the session, emphasizing the importance of prevention-focused care and the role of clinicians in promoting health beyond disease treatment.
03:28 – Dr. Cam Hostinar on social relationships and health
Dr. Hostinar introduces the concept of social relationships as a cornerstone of mental and physical well-being, supported by research highlighted in the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory.
05:01 – The link between social relationships and mortality
Using findings from a meta-analysis by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, Dr. Hostinar explains how social connection is as significant to longevity as avoiding smoking or obesity.
07:04 – Biological mechanisms: stress buffering
Dr. Hostinar shares her research on stress buffering, showing how social support reduces the stress response, particularly in children.
13:04 – Loneliness vs. social isolation
Dr. Hostinar clarifies the difference between loneliness (a subjective feeling) and social isolation (objective lack of connections).
15:16 – The epidemic of loneliness
Dr. Hostinar discusses the growing prevalence of loneliness, particularly among younger generations, as shown in national surveys:
- Nearly 8 in 10 Gen Z adults report feeling lonely, compared to 50% of Boomers.
16:09 – Social prescribing: a creative solution
Dr. Hostinar introduces social prescribing, an emerging global practice where healthcare providers prescribe non-medical activities (e.g., art classes, fitness programs) to improve social and emotional health.
22:06 – Addressing the depth of social connection
The session shifts to a discussion with medical students, focusing on the quality and depth of social relationships.
26:10 – Building therapeutic alliances
Dr. Hostinar emphasizes the importance of strong provider-patient relationships in reducing loneliness and improving outcomes.
32:04 – Social Engineering and walkable communities
Students reflect on how public spaces, like walkable communities and shared environments, can reduce loneliness through spontaneous social interaction.
36:00 – Social support and economic hardship
Dr. Hostinar explains how social capital—emotional and practical support—can buffer against the stress of poverty, offering solutions even for time- and resource-constrained individuals.
Resources
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness and Isolation (2023)
- Meta-Analysis by Julianne Holt-Lunstad on Social Relationships and Mortality
- Social Prescribing Resources:
- Cigna National Loneliness Survey