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AROHE's 2024 Virtual Summit explored the importance of social relationships in retirement with an engaging presentation followed by a panel discussion. In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation," shedding light on "the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country." Even predating the COVID-19 pandemic, around half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Disconnection profoundly impacts mental, physical, and societal well-being.
Keynote Presentation: From Loneliness to Social ConnectionJulianne Holt-Lunstad Decades of evidence has accumulated pointing to widespread health impacts associated with social connection, or lack thereof. Despite this evidence, social connection has been widely assumed to be a personal issue primarily associated with emotional well-being, underappreciating the mental, cognitive, and physical health ramifications. While the pandemic raised awareness, it simultaneously revealed gaps in our understanding on what to do about it. Drawing upon her work with the US Surgeon General Advisory and the broader scientific literature, Dr. Holt-Lunstad highlighted the scope of why social connection is important at every stage of life and how to prepare for a healthier future. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, is a professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University. She is also the founding scientific chair and board member for the U.S. Foundation for Social Connection and the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection. Her research focuses on the individual and population health effects, biological mechanisms, and effective strategies to mitigate risk and promote protection associated with social connection. She has given a TED Talk and given expert advice and testimony internationally to many organizations including being the lead scientific editor for a US Surgeon General’s Advisory and Framework for a National Strategy. |
Panelists |
Dr. Kaye Manson Jeter Kaye Manson Jeter retired from Central State University as the dean of their Dayton campus. She also served at the university as the dean of the College of Education and the Director of the Institute of Urban Education. She is a graduate of Central State University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Marquette University Law School. Upon retirement, the Dayton Metro Library selected her as a Del Mar Encore Fellow. She currently serves on the AROHE Board of Directors. She has written and published three books since her retirement. |
Valerie Ventre-Hutton University of California, Berkeley Valerie Ventre-Hutton worked in the private, nonprofit and public sectors before retiring from U.C. Berkeley in 2020. Her retirement party took place two weeks before the University closed due to COVID, so her retirement experience was initially shaped by COVID and is now emerging in new directions. She is active with groups that support climate action, positive civic engagement – and have fun doing it. She and husband David live in Northern CA with family scattered throughout CA, the U.S. and Europe. |
Dr. Louise Nasmith Dr. Louise Nasmith, professor emeritus in UBC’s Department of Family Practice, is a fellow with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and an honorary fellow with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). She obtained her medical degree and a Master of Education from McGill University. During her career, she worked to advance collaborative practice and interprofessional education in primary health care. In retirement, she volunteers with local groups, organizes hiking trips, plans the College of Professors Emeriti retirement seminars, and serves the CFPC and other national initiatives. |
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