Loneliness and Social Isolation as a Risk Factor: The Power of Social Connection 

Prices per Course | NOTE: ACLM members receive an exclusive 20% discount. 
Nonmember - $25
Member - $20 

Credits
0.50 CME/CNE/CE Credits
0 CPE Credits
(Full Accreditation information listed below)

Description 
Social relationships are adaptive and crucial for survival, yet in light of the current pandemic we have limited means of fulfilling this biological need. Indeed, evidence suggests social isolation and loneliness were prevalent prior to the pandemic and may be exacerbated. Social connections have powerful influences on health and longevity and that lacking social connection qualifies as a risk factor for premature mortality. Growing evidence also points to the short-term effects on biomarkers of health and health relevant behaviors, guiding understanding of both the causal mechanisms by which social connection influences physical health and the ways in which this influence can inform potential intervention strategies. A recent National Academy of Science consensus committee report provides recommendations for how this evidence can inform medical and healthcare. The current pandemic has shown us how integral social contact is to every aspect of our lives, and thus each of these sectors can play an important role in solutions. 

Learning Objectives 

• Evaluate the robust evidence which documents significant morbidity and mortality risk associated with social isolation and loneliness. 
• Review how a significant portion of the population is isolated, lonely, or both, and how restrictions associated with the pandemic may exacerbate the problem. 
• Discuss how given the public health and clinical importance of social isolation and loneliness, greater prioritization is needed to design, evaluate, and scale evidence-based solutions. 

Speaker 
Julianne Holt Lunstad, PhD? – Professor, Brigham Young University 

Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, where she is also the director of the social neuroscience lab. She also has an adjunct professorship at Swinburne University of Technology; Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s research is focused on the long-term health effects of 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 consults regularly for organizations across sectors aimed at addressing this issue including expert testimony in a US Congressional Hearing, expert recommendations for the US Surgeon General Emotional Well-Being in America Initiative, a member of the UK Cross Departmental Loneliness Team, and a member of a National Academy of Sciences consensus committee. Her work has been widely recognized within her discipline including several awards and is regularly highlighted in major media outlets.

Format 
LM2020 On Demand sessions are hosted online via the ACLM Learning Management System and each session consists of a title, description, learning objectives, speaker information, video recording, presentation slides in PDF format, an assessment and survey evaluation.

Duration 
30 minutes

Specifications 
This content can be viewed on a desktop, tablet or mobile device. Speakers or headphones are required. 

Term of Approval 
February 22, 2021 – February 22, 2023 

Enrollment 
Access to course: access to online material is granted through the term of approval which ends February 22, 2023.   

Accreditation Statement 
In support of patient care, Rush University Medical Center is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 
 
Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 
 
ANCC Credit Designation – Nurses The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 0.50 contact hours. This activity is being presented without bias and without commercial support. 
 
Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge based CPE activity for 0 contact hours for pharmacists. 
 
Rush University is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000272), occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, social work (159.001203), nutrition, speech-audiology, and psychology by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University designates this live activity for 0.50 Continuing Education credits. 
 
The Commission on Dietetic Registration accepts self-study programs approved through the ACCME. 

ABLM MOC 
The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 0.50 maintenance of certification credits for this learning activity. 

AAFP Prescribed Credits 
The AAFP has reviewed LM2020 OnDemand: Health Restored Virtual Conference, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 02/23/2022 to 02/23/2023. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Credit approval includes the following session: 0.50 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed Credit(s) - Loneliness and Social Isolation as a Risk Factor: The Power of Social Connection

Faculty Disclosures 
It is the policy of the Rush University Office of Interprofessional continuing Education to ensure that its CE activities are independent, free of commercial bias and beyond the control of persons or organizations with an economic interest in influencing the content of CE.  Everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest (including but not limited to pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or other corporations whose products or services are related to the subject matter of the presentation topic) within the preceding 12 months. 

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices:  In accordance with requirements of the FDA, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices.  Please refer to the FDA approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information. 

The course directors, planners and faculty of this activity have stated they have no relevant financial disclosures.