Vivek Murthy to Address Loneliness at End Well 2026 Summit

The summit, themed "When Does Now Begin?," aims to shift the cultural perception of mortality by bringing together clinicians, caregivers, and artists. CBS News correspondent Jamie Yuccas will moderate the discussion with Murthy, building on his 2023 advisory that identified loneliness as a public health crisis with a mortality risk comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. The event features a diverse lineup, including palliative care physician BJ Miller, author Hope Edelman, and workshops led by death doulas and improvisational comedians.

End Well founder Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider noted that the organization has spent nearly a decade moving conversations about death from the margins into mainstream discourse. The programming is designed to provide practical frameworks for navigating serious illness and caregiving before a crisis occurs. Executive Director Tracy Wheeler emphasized that the session focuses on the expertise of those who have faced loss, aiming to teach attendees how to maintain presence in the face of uncertainty. The summit will be streamed globally for free, with continuing education credits available for healthcare professionals as the organization approaches its tenth anniversary.