No term describes the simultaneous presence of 2 positive attributes in an individual the way comorbidity describes the simultaneous presence of 2 diseases. This isn’t a surprise. Epidemiology has been around since the 1850s, while widespread scientific study of positive emotions and behaviors is more recent. This language gap should be closed and we propose doing so with a new word, “covitality.”

Spreading compassion and love everywhere is no small feat. Last week, we gathered with scholars, scientists, practitioners and leaders from around the world to focus on using the science of epidemiology as a tool to expand compassion and love on a global scale.

“How do we save ourselves, and how do we save the world?” That question (one we frequently hear at the Center for Compassionate Leadership) was at the core of the Wisdom 2.0 Mindfulness in America conference. Here’s just a taste of the insights we gained from the likes of Soren Gordhamer, Richard Davidson, Sharon Salzberg, Dan Siegel, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rhonda V. Magee, and David Simas.