Social Connection: The Overlooked Prescription for a Longer, Healthier Life

We track our steps, our sleep and our cholesterol. Few of us track our relationships, yet decades of research suggest they are among the strongest predictors of how long, and how well, we live.

What the evidence shows

A landmark review of 148 studies, covering more than 300,000 people, found that those with stronger social relationships had a 50% greater likelihood of survival over the study periods. The researchers concluded that the effect was comparable to well-established risk factors for death.¹

A global health priority

In 2025, the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection reported that 1 in 6 people worldwide is affected by loneliness, a problem linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths every year, or around 100 every hour. People who feel lonely are also twice as likely to experience depression.² The same year, the World Health Assembly adopted its first resolution on social connection.

Relationships and healthy ageing

The Harvard Study of Adult Development has followed participants since 1938. When researchers looked back to see what at age 50 best predicted good health at 80, it was not cholesterol: it was how satisfied people were in their relationships.³

Building connection into your week

• Schedule it. Treat time with friends and family like any other health appointment.
• Combine movement and people. Group classes, walking clubs or a regular game of tennis count twice.
• Choose depth over numbers. A few close, supportive relationships may matter more than a large network.
• Find purpose with others. Volunteering, mentoring and shared interests create meaningful ties.
• Notice loneliness. Feeling isolated is a health signal, not a personal failing. It is worth raising with a healthcare professional.

How Humansa helps

Our Connections & Emotion pillar recognises that longevity is better together. Alongside your personalised plan, H+ members can join group sessions and invitation-only community events, and our team can support your mental and emotional wellbeing as part of your care.

This article is for general information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Speak with a healthcare professional about your own health.