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What if there is something in our everyday lives that can transform our whole health and well-being?
Something that can decrease the risk of developing and worsening:
  • Heart disease
  • Anxiety
  • High blood pressure
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
It exists. It’s something that needs to be cared for and nurtured like a garden, by all of us. It can create healthier, more prosperous and resilient communities.
That something is called .

Social connection is essential to our health and well-being.*

Did you know that lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily?1
  1. Holt-Lunstad, et al., 2010.
Hi there, I’m CeCe! I’ll be your guide on this webpage. Let’s explore and learn more about the importance of social connection together!

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.
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Key Takeaways from the

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Social connection is like a garden, nurturing your connections can improve your garden’s health!

Humans are wired for social connection, but we’ve become more isolated over time

Social connection is as essential to our long-term survival as food and water. But today, loneliness is more widespread than other major health issues in the U.S. Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation is a major public health concern.

Social connection significantly improves the health and well-being of all individuals

Social connection reduces the risk of premature mortality. It can predict better physical and mental health outcomes and ease stress. Higher levels of connection can influence health-related behaviors. Connection can even impact educational and economic achievement.

Social connection is vital to community health and success

Socially connected communities enjoy better population-level health. They are more prepared for—and resilient in the face—of disaster situations. They also experience greater economic prosperity and reduced levels of crime and violence.

Together, we can advance social connection and improve our nation’s public health

Fostering social connection requires that we each commit to our relationships and communities. Our actions today can create sustainable changes to society and bring better health to all.

Social Connection Fact Cards

Download Fact Cards [2.8 MB, PDF]
  • Social Connection
    Fact Card

    Living in isolation reduces our chances of survival and social isolation increases the risk for premature mortality by 29%.1,2

    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.
    4. Song 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

    1. Cohen, 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.

Individuals Parents & Caregivers Community-Based Organizations Schools & Education Departments Workplaces Health Workers, Systems, & Insurers Public Health Professionals Governments Media & Entertainment Technology Companies Researchers Philanthropy Groups
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This is archived HHS content.