As people age, health often becomes a larger focus in their lives—their joints become a little more achy, or their vision less sharp. Some might even be dealing with a new diagnosis.
To handle these ailments, doctors might prescribe medications, or diet and lifestyle changes. But there’s often one big factor missing from these conversations: a patient’s social well-being.
Sociology researcher Dr. Linda Waite has been tracking the social health of thousands of research participants ranging in age from 50 to over 100, for 15 years. The study is ongoing, and so far she’s found that the social aspects of our lives play a big role in our long-term physical and mental health and well-being as we age.
Ira talks with Dr. Linda Waite, a professor of sociology at the University of Chicago and head of the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project in front of a live audience at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, presented with WBEZ and Mindworks.
To stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters. Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.
616: Radioactive Wildlife, Bus Stop Heat, Football Jersey Numbers. Sept 15, 2023, Part 1
615: Tree Soil, Rodent Biologist, Soundscape Artist. Sept 8, 2023, Part 2
614: Embryo Model, Sweat, Whale Vocal Fry. September 8, 2023, Part 1
613: An AI for Smell, Heat and Agricultural Workers, Golden Lion Tamarin, Y Chromosome. Sept 1, 2023, Part 2
612: US Surgeon General On Mental Health, Tracking Tick Bites. Sept 1, 2023, Part 1
611: Old Things Considered: La Brea, Megalodon, Dino Footprints, Surviving History. Aug 25, 2023, Part 2
610: Sea Otters, Alaskan Minerals, Salmon Restoration. Aug 25, 2023, Part 1
609: Women Athletes, Stem Cell Cornea Repair, Sand. August 18, 2023, Part 2
608: Covid Update, Brain Fog Research, Toilet to Tap. Aug 18, 2023, Part 1
Pod Pregnancy Movie, Increase In Deep-Sea Mining, Upcoming Astronomical Delights. August 11, 2023, Part 2
Hawai’i Wildfires, Blue-Fin Tuna Science, Maine’s New Lithium Deposit. August 11, 2023, Part 1
Answering Evolution Questions, Planetary Protection. Aug 4, 2023, Part 2
Artificial Sweetener Safety, Nuclear Weapons Tech. Aug 4, 2023, Part 1
The Cat’s Meow, Chumash Marine Sanctuary, EV Tires. July 28, 2023, Part 2
Kākāpō Conservation, NYC Parrots, One Year After the Dobbs Decision. July 28, 2023, Part 1
How Does The Brain Control Your Every Move? July 21, 2023, Part 1
What To Know Before You Go See ‘Oppenheimer’. July 21, 2023, Part 2
Lab-Grown Meat Approval, Underground Climate Change, Utahraptor. July 14, 2023, Part 2
Youth Mental Health Crisis, Repairing Sharks’ Bad Reputation. July 14, 2023, Part 1
Accessible Birding, Space Sounds, Wasps. July 7, 2023. Part 2
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL