The Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE)'s 2024 Virtual Summit entitled "Social Relationships: The Key to a Happy and Successful Retirement" will explore the importance of social relationships in retirement with an engaging presentation followed by a panel discussion. In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation," shedding light on "the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country." Even predating the COVID-19 pandemic, around half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Disconnection profoundly impacts mental, physical, and societal well-being. This presentation will help retirees and the organizations that serve them to better understand and facilitate better social connections.

Our keynote speaker is Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University. Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Kaye Jeter, Central State University; Valerie Ventre-Hutton, UC Berkeley; and Dr. Louise Nasmith, University of British Columbia, who will share their personal experiences related to this topic.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the event webpage [1].