HUMAN CONNECTION, LONELINESS, & HEALTH

Catalog description

This course examines the "loneliness epidemic" through a sociological perspective and is based on the premise that loneliness is a public health issue, as research consistently shows it is associated with a vast array of physical and mental health outcomes. After discussing the extent of loneliness and how to define it by distinguishing it from other types of social pain, the course covers: 1) the extent and nature of loneliness and its cultural/social sources; 2) the pathways from loneliness to health outcomes; and 3) possible interventions to reduce loneliness and improve public health. (Cross-listed with SOC 8446 ).