This activity was originally presented as a part of Directions in Pharmacy 2025.
Program Description
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the health effects of loneliness and social isolation, equating the health effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increasing an individual’s risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, and anxiety. The loneliness and social isolation epidemic is hitting harder than ever. Despite the rise of technology, digital distractions have people feeling more disconnected than ever. Pharmacists and technicians are in a prime spot to notice when someone is isolated, but they also need to check in with themselves. Efforts to connect with others outside of work and to make time for their well-being should be encouraged. By recognizing how isolation affects both patients and health care professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can make a real difference in promoting wellness that includes physical and mental health. For patients, it is about more than just medication—it’s about offering a moment of connection, sharing local resources, or even just starting a conversation that reminds them they’re not alone. This year’s keynote discussion for the 2025 Directions in Pharmacy Conference will inspire pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to lead by example, take care of themselves, and encourage others to do the same, with the goal of breaking the cycle of isolation with social prescriptions one person at a time.
Target audience: Community and health system pharmacist, Pharmacy technician
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 16, 2025
Expiration date: June 16, 2026
Time to complete activity: 0.5 hour
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, pharmacy technicians will be able to:
- Explore the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health
- Apply strategies to integrate the social connection prescription