EAR
EDUCATE
ASSESS
RESPOND
An evidence-based approach for helping healthcare professionals address social isolation and loneliness and promote social connection in patient care.
Why social connection belongs in healthcare
Social connection is relevant to health.
Loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and premature mortality. In a 2022 CDC survey, 32.1% of adults reported loneliness and 24.1% reported lacking social and emotional support (1).
Healthcare professionals encounter patients whose social circumstances matter to their health, but recognizing a concern does not always make the next steps clear.
The National Academies has described healthcare as an untapped partner in identifying and responding to social isolation and loneliness (2).
The U.S. Surgeon General’s national strategy also calls for health care provider education and for systems that help providers address patients’ social connection needs (3).
In a 2025 survey of 681 healthcare providers across multiple medical settings (4):
37%
say their clinic lacks resources to help patients with social issues.
30%
say they do not feel adequately trained to help with social issues.
51%
say they are not confident addressing
social-health issues
These findings highlight the need for practical guidance in improving patient care.
The EAR Educate Assess Respond™ Approach is a flexible framework healthcare professionals can use through three steps:
Educate patients on the crucial impact social connection has on health
Assess and document patients’ level of connection
Respond with appropriate support, resources, or referrals
Educational Resources
The EAR Educate Assess Respond educational resources include a toolkit and related materials for healthcare professionals. They introduce the approach, explain its relevance to patient care, and offer guidance for applying it in healthcare settings.
Presentations and Professional Learning
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad introduces the EAR Educate Assess Respond approach within her broader findings on social connection and health through presentations, webinars, training, and classes
These educational offerings are designed for organizations that serve or work with healthcare professionals and healthcare delivery and may cover educating patients, assessing social connection, or connecting patients with appropriate resources
EAR Approach:
SYNC FOR SOCIAL NEEDS
The White House, alongside Epic Systems and the Department of Veterans Affairs, launched the Sync for Social Needs coalition to integrate social screening tools into EMR systems. Routine screening fosters social connection by addressing social determinants of health in clinical settings.
Epic Systems’ focus on Social Determinants of Health
Houston Methodist, through Epic Systems, integrates social prescribing by enabling community organizations to access patient data for more holistic care.
The EAR Educate, Assess, Respond Approach toolkit was adapted from the EAR Framework, first introduced in a 2023 New England Journal of Medicine article authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., and Carla Perissinotto, M.D., M.H.S..
“Addressing social isolation and loneliness does not detract from patient care— it is patient care.”
Listening for change: the EAR Approach for addressing social isolation and loneliness in healthcare settings.
Get in touch
If you're interested in integrating social screening tools or addressing social determinants of health within your healthcare system, we'd love to connect! For additional information, collaboration opportunities, or consulting inquiries, please contact us.