FMSC450

Loneliness is one of the most severe, yet underappreciated, public health epidemics in the U.S. It impacts both mental and physical health. It increases risk for death by suicide exponentially. Research evidence also shows that loneliness on physical health is akin to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Drawing heavily on family science, the social determinants of health, and other key public health concepts, this course will provide an overview of research on the loneliness epidemic and the role of healthy relationships in mental and physical wellbeing. Students will gain mastery of societal factors contributing to loneliness in the general population as well specific demographic groups particularly at risk for loneliness. Students will analyze the role of such factors of age, gender, technology, and the changing roles of family life in this epidemic. Students will also complete a capstone assignment to demonstrate their mastery of this phenomenon and solutions to resolving it.