As families gather across Greater Boston this holiday season —sharing meals, laughter, and conversation — thousands of older adults will spend the season alone. For many, days pass without a visit, a phone call, or a friendly voice. This isn’t just a matter of loneliness; it’s a matter of public health.

In his 2023 Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a clear warning: isolation and disconnection are as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The evidence is undeniable — when people are cut off from community, their risk of heart disease, dementia, depression, and premature death rises dramatically.

That’s why organizations like FriendshipWorks and the YMCA of Greater Boston are working together to m

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