Addressing Loneliness: Pharmacy’s Revolution as a Community Wellness Hub

Social isolation and loneliness are widespread problems in the US, posing a serious threat to mental and physical health. Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the US report feeling lonely, and 1 in 4 report not having social and emotional support.^1,2 Social isolation occurs when a person does not have relationships or contact with others, whereas loneliness is feeling alone or disconnected from others because you do not have meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging. Even a person with many friends can feel lonely.³

Loneliness is recognized as a major public health threat that is worse for health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day and obesity. It increases the risk of premature death by an estimated 26% and various serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety, causing physiological stress (increased cortisol levels and inflammation) and cognitive decline. It increases the risk of dementia by 50% and weakens the immune system, causing greater vulnerability to infections and autoimmune disorders.^1,4

We are, at our core, social creatures, and loneliness is a social problem. People with anxiety and depression are more likely to experience loneliness, but the answer to the issue of loneliness and isolation is to go back to our roots as a social species. An active spiritual life helps you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. As UNC Health psychiatrist Nadia Charguia, MD, says, “Each of us can start now, in our own lives, by strengthening our connections and relationships.”^4,5

Connected Lives

Social connection can protect health across the life span. It reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of serious health problems by reducing stress hormones, regulating homeostasis balance, strengthening the immune system, and lowering risks of chronic diseases. Positive human interactions improve mood, self-esteem, and productivity by increasing endorphins and feelings of safety, belonging, and being valued. Caring behaviors are found to release stress-reducing hormones, which can affect the immune system, coronary arteries, gastrointestinal function, and insulin regulation. Communities with strong social bonds tend to be safer, healthier, and more resilient, including in response to disasters.^6,7

People with healthy relationships are more likely to make healthy choices that lead to better mental and physical health. Having safe access to public areas for people to connect encourages community members to give back, which further strengthens the bonds.⁸

Pharmacy’s Role

As online prescription filling and food-based health trends continue to rise, stand-alone pharmacies could potentially fade from our neighborhoods over time. However, transitioning the physical pharmacies into community wellness hubs designed to combat social isolation could not only save the stores from closure but also guarantee a deeply trusted position for the pharmacy as the champion of the community’s overall wellness.⁹ Pharmacies can be a place where work is to build on trust, integrity, and a shared commitment to improving health care for all Americans.¹⁰

Piloting a Pharmacy as Community Wellness Hub

In this hypothetical pilot, a pharmacy would begin by collecting survey data from a broad cross-section of customers to understand how human interactions in the pharmacy setting might better serve them. From there, the pilot would replace approximately 4 to 6 low-velocity shelving runs with flexible, Americans With Disabilities Act–compliant seating designed to host health-focused community meetings (see Figure). An on-site health care professional would utilize their expertise to facilitate scheduled discussions, fostering trust and authentic connection within the community. The space would also integrate a compact natural juice and nutrition kiosk to establish a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere. Finally, the pilot would apply people engagement principles intended to meaningfully shift the way customers and employees perceive and approach one another.

Creating Positive Human Interactions

In this hypothetical model, creating positive interactions would require pharmacists to focus on active listening, empathy, and genuine curiosity. Communication would center on clarity, authenticity, and respect to build trust and connection—avoiding distractions and judgment in order to make others feel truly heard and valued.¹¹ By establishing a safe, nonjudgmental environment, the pharmacy could encourage people to share personal experiences and promote collective healing.¹²

Participants in pharmacy gatherings would have online access to suggest new discussion topics and provide feedback after each session. Best practice would keep people engaged not only through premeeting materials and postevent outcomes but also through an online space where attendees can stay connected. A code of positive communication would be provided to participants upon registration for each meeting, subject to ongoing refinement based on feedback and experience. The code might include items such as being present and listening actively, giving undivided attention, and putting away distractions; showing empathy and validating others’ feelings, asking meaningful questions to encourage deeper conversation; offering genuine compliments and sharing authentically using positive body language like eye contact and open posture; communicating clearly and concisely using "I" statements and framing feedback constructively; and respecting boundaries, managing your tone, and embracing vulnerability and forgiveness to build deeper connections.

Studying Human Interactions

Human interactions observed during these hypothetical gatherings could serve as the basis for further educational research. Such studies might reveal the positive impacts of community-centered pharmacy spaces on participants' physical and mental health, as well as their motivation for lifestyle improvements and self-care. Even the dynamics of positive interaction flow and how unnecessary friction might be reduced could become subjects of meaningful communication research.

Pharmacies pursuing this model could benefit from studying human interactions through the lens of trust, empathy, authenticity, and applied psychology, using these insights to improve both customer and employee engagement. Leveraging customer feedback in this way could drive meaningful service improvements, ultimately contributing to stronger community reputation, innovation, and sustainable growth.^13,14

Conclusion

This hypothetical pilot illustrates one compelling way a pharmacy could embrace corporate social responsibility, demonstrating a commitment to community well-being and societal sustainability. By facilitating positive human interactions and implementing social engagement strategies, pharmacies operating under this model could effectively strengthen stakeholder trust and deepen their role as true community wellness hubs.

REFERENCES

1. WHO declares loneliness a global health concern. Here’s how to recognize if someone in your life is at risk. BJC HealthCare. January 4, 2024. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.bjc.org/news/who-declares-loneliness-global-health-concern-heres-how-recognize-if-someone-your-life-risk

2. Edmans A. How business can and should solve social problems. Business Fights Poverty. March 4, 2020. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://businessfightspoverty.org/grow-the-pie-how-great-companies-deliver-both-purpose-and-profit/

3. Health effects of social isolation and loneliness. CDC. May 15, 2024. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html#

4. How loneliness affects your health. University of Utah. August 29, 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2025/08/how-loneliness-affects-your-health

5. Shakthy E. Social isolation and loneliness: a public health crisis. The Healthcare Review at Cornell University. January 8, 2024. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.cornellhealthcarereview.org/post/social-isolation-and-loneliness-a-public-health-crisis

6. Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death. World Health Organization. June 30, 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death

7. The connection between social and physical health. Lupus Foundation of America. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.lupus.org/resources/the-connection-between-social-and-physical-health

8. Social connection. CDC. May 15, 2024. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html

9. Glausier G. Food as medicine: when food is the best prescription. Baylor Scott White Health. May 16, 2019. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/food-as-medicine-when-food-is-the-best-prescription

10. CVS Health code of conduct. Updated November 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.cvshealth.com/content/dam/enterprise/cvs-enterprise/pdfs/cvs-health-code-of-conduct.pdf

11. Wilson CR. How to foster positive communication: 9 effective techniques. PositivePsychology.com. May 15, 2022. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://positivepsychology.com/positive-communication/

12. Wu KJ. The importance of sharing personal experiences in wellness. Linking Path TCM. November 17, 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.linkingpathtcm.com/post/the-importance-of-sharing-personal-experiences-in-wellness

13. Kalcher C. The economics of empathy: why human connection is the future of business. World Economic Forum. November 6, 2025. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/empathy-business-return-on-investment-new-study/

14. Martino J, Pegg J, Frates EP. The connection prescription: using the power of social interactions and the deep desire for connectedness to empower health and wellness. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2015;11(6):466-475. doi:10.1177/1559827615608788