Loneliness is more than a feeling. It’s a public health issue. In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, Coral speaks with internationally recognised researcher Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli to unpack the real-world impact of loneliness and social isolation on our health, especially as we age. From cardiovascular risk to dementia, Rosanne shares compelling evidence that social health is just as vital as physical and mental wellbeing.
Connection shapes our lives, no matter who we are. Whether you're a family member, aged care provider, health professional, or simply a member of the community, this episode describes strategies that are already changing lives across Australia. If you’ve ever wondered how many close connections you really need, or how volunteering could transform someone’s health, this conversation is for you.
In this episode:
- The difference between loneliness, social isolation, and social support
- The surprising health risks linked to loneliness
- Social isolation affects lifestyle behaviours, while loneliness triggers biological stress responses
- How many social connections you need to protect your health
- Gender differences in how loneliness is experienced and reported
- The different effects informal caregiving has for women and men
- Resources to help people connect locally
- Challenges and creative solutions for connecting people with mobility or cognitive limitations
- How volunteering benefits both recipients and volunteers
- Social prescribing, how it works, and why it’s gaining traction in Australia
- Where to find support
- How ASPIRE is leading the way in social prescribing research and education
- Quality of life, not just longevity, should be available to everyone
Resources mentioned:
Related episodes:
- Episode 53 - Pharmacy addressing loneliness and social isolation
- Episode 54 – What is social prescribing?
- Episode 55 – The aged care volunteer visitors scheme
Connect with Dr Rosanne...
