NPHI Hosts Discussion Focused on Combatting Social Isolation and Loneliness
Today, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) was excited to host our very own Andrew MacPherson, Senior Advisor, NPHI, and Eddie Garcia, Strategic Advisor, NPHI to discuss the topic of social isolation and loneliness. The presentation focused on the nationwide, and global, crisis of social isolation and loneliness and its negative health implications. Additionally, they reviewed actions being taken by leading stakeholders and addressed ways for NPHI members to address the issue within their own communities.
The discussion also featured a panel presentation by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Brigham Young University, Dr. Matthew Smith, Texas A&M University, Dr. Carter Florence, Meals and Wheels America, and Lori Gerhard, U.S. Department of HHS, Administration for Community Living highlighting the existing data, tools for stakeholders to employ, and current actions being taken by the federal government. This session also provided members with an opportunity to discuss other top of mind issues and ask questions of the presenters as they relate to social isolation and loneliness.
“It is an absolute pleasure to welcome members of our own team and a host of internationally-recognized experts on the issue of social isolation and loneliness to address our members on an issue that is all to prevalent in their daily work with advanced illness patients,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of NPHI. “Prior to, but especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become even more important for NPHI members to be cognizant of the mental and behavioral health challenges facing those with advanced illness. There is simply no group of professionals better suited to educate our members on the intricacies of these issues than those with us today and we look forward to continuing to engage with them to best support our patients and their families.”
The conversation, entitled “NPHI Member Engagement Call: Social Isolation and Loneliness”, was part of a biweekly series of NPHI-hosted discussions to address today’s pressing hospice topics through engagement with health policy experts, thought leaders, and other industry innovators. The discussion was meant to present and educate NPHI’s membership on the prevalence and various outcomes associated with social disconnection, the tools and programs being developed and deployed that could benefit those in hospice settings, and what is currently being done by the federal government to address these issues. Click here to learn more about this series or how to become an NPHI member.
About the National Partnership for Healthcare & Hospice Innovation
The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is a collaborative of 70+ not-for-profit, community-integrated, advanced illness, and hospice providers from across the United States who play a unique role as a crucial safety net for the sickest, most vulnerable patients in the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.hospiceinnovations.org
About the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness
Directed by Andrew MacPherson; and in partnership with Edward Garcia, Director of the Foundation for Social Connection; The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness engages in a variety of areas to advance its mission; these areas include, but are not limited to, disseminating research findings, developing, and advocating for federal and state legislative and regulatory policy interventions, and leading public awareness events in Washington, DC as well as across the nation. For more information, visit https://www.endsocialisolation.org/