Social Connection

Social connection can transform our whole health and well-being.

Advisory: The Healing Effects of Social Connection

Connection plays a critical role in individual, community, and societal health. This advisory calls attention to that role and offers a framework for how we can all contribute to improving social connection.

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Content Warning: This page contains references to suicide.

Black box with Colorful illustration of small people figures with black thick boarder. Title of graphic Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

Social Connection Fact Cards

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Colorful boxes (Fuchsia, yellow, orange and light purple) stacked. Title: Social Connection Fact Card – Loneliness and poor social support can contribute to the development and severity of illnesses after exposure to viruses.

Social Connection Fact Card
Living in isolation reduces our chances of survival and social isolation increases the risk for premature mortality by 29%.¹
¹ Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015.
Social Connection Fact Card
Poor social relationships, social isolation, and loneliness can increase your risk of heart disease by 29% and risk of stroke by 32%.¹
¹ Valtorta et al., 2016.
Social Connection Fact Card
Smaller social network size is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and of other diabetic complications including heart attacks and kidney disease.^1,2
¹ Brinkhues et al., 2017.
² Brinkhues et al., 2018.
Social Connection Fact Card
Among older adults, chronic loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of developing dementia by approximately 50%.¹
¹ Lazzari & Rabottini, 2021.
Social Connection Fact Card
Being more socially connected can improve stress responses and minimize the negative health effects of stress.^1,2
¹ Cohen & Willis, 1985.
² Southwick, et al., 2016.
Social Connection Fact Card
People with strong perceptions of community belongingness are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health than people with a low sense of belongingness.¹
¹ My Health My Community, 2018.
Social Connection Fact Card
Children and adolescents who enjoy positive relationships with their peers, parents, and teachers experience improved academic outcomes.¹
¹ DuBoid et al., 2011.
Social Connection Fact Card
Social isolation, or even the perception of isolation, can increase inflammation in the body to the same degree as physical inactivity.¹
¹ Yang et al., 2016.
Social Connection Fact Card
Adults who report feeling lonely often are more than twice as likely to develop depression as adults who report rarely or never feeling lonely.¹
¹ Mann et al., 2022.
Social Connection Fact Card
Social support from friends and family is associated with improved hypertension and diabetes management.^1,2,3,4
¹ Magrin et al., 2017.
² Shahin et al., 2021.
³ Pan et al., 2021.
⁴Song et al., 2017.
Social Connection Fact Card
Immersion in local community-based activities such as volunteering significantly increases the likelihood of unemployed individuals becoming employed.^1,2,3
¹ Wilson, 2000.
² Jastrzab et al., 2004.
³ Spera et al., 2015.
Social Connection Fact Card
Loneliness and poor social support have been found to significantly contribute to the development and severity of illnesses after exposure to viruses.^1,2
¹Cohen, 2020.
² LeRoy et al., 2017.

How Can We Take Action Together?

How do we put this important information to practical use in our society? The Surgeon General has created a Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection. This details the critical and actionable next steps that individuals, communities, organizations, and governments can take to foster social connection.

Explore the National Strategy

We all have a role to play in fostering social connection. Click on your role below to view recommendations and resources in our Resources Library.

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The Three Vital Components of Social Connection Graphic
This graphic explains relationship factors that contribute to an individual’s social connection.
Key Information of the National Strategy
This document includes information about the National Strategy to Advance Social Connection and recommendations for key stakeholders to foster greater social connection.
How Social Connection Influences Health Graphic
This graphic communicates the three pathways through which social connection has an impact on overall health.
National Trends for Social Connection Graphic
This graphic shows national trends in social isolation and social connection behaviors from 2003 to 2020.
The Six Pillars to Advance Social Connection Graphic
This graphic communicates the Surgeon General’s Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection.
Factors That Can Shape Social Connection Graphic
This graphic communicates the factors—from individual to societal—that play a role in shaping social connection.
One-page summary (slide version)
This slide includes the key takeaways from the advisory.
One-page summary (printable version)
This document includes the key takeaways from the advisory.
Key Information for Individuals
This one-page document includes information and recommendations for an individual to foster greater social connection in their life.
Key Information for Schools
This one-page document includes information and recommendations for educators and administrators to foster greater social connection in schools.
Key Information for Parents and Caregivers
This one-page document includes information and recommendations for parents and caregivers to foster greater social connection in their children’s lives.
Social Connection Fact Cards
This PDF includes 12 social connection fact cards that highlight the negative impact that social isolation and loneliness has on individual and community level health and well-being.