Valentine’s Day is here—a time to celebrate the heart. In this episode, Drs. Robert Pearl and Zubin Damania (aka ZDoggMD) discuss a series of studies confirming that interpersonal relationships (with friends, family, etc.) have the biggest impact on life expectancy and overall wellness.

This raises the question: Is there a role for medicine in addressing this most vital component of health?

At Turntable Health, the primary-care venture Dr. Z founded in Las Vegas, the traditional “waiting room” was converted into a community space where patients could hang out, have conversations, participate in mindfulness classes and even form friendships (in a HIPAA-compliant way, he added).

“We are social creatures and we need others,” says ZDoggMD.

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, cohosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Pearl, along with ZDoggMD, discuss the “L” word, the importance of relationships in good health and how clinicians can set aside denial (a cultural tenet of medicine) and let emotion safely enter in to medical practice.

To find out more, press play and check out these helpful links:

Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy

Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions

Healthy Relationships Matter More Than We Think

Do Social Ties Affect Our Health?

ZDoggMD’s YouTube playlist on “Consciousness & Mindfulness”

How One Clinic Disrupted Primary Care, Made Patients Healthier & Failed

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #82: An unfiltered look at love and life expectancy appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.