Lisa Marsh Ryerson, former president of the AARP Foundation, discusses how the health of older Americans is being negatively impacted by social isolation. We know from research that social isolation has very devastating health outcomes,” says Ryerson. “Everyone can take steps to ensure that individuals have a reliable social network and connections to the community resources and supports that help them thrive. [This] has been some of my most important work.”

Ryerson and host Barbara Petee, also examine the importance of optimism when addressing some of the nation’s most pressing health care crises.