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Researcher: Lack of social connection raises mortality risk comparable to major health hazards
Summary
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad told Utah officials that a worldwide synthesis shows social connection is associated with roughly 50% higher odds of survival, arguing policymakers should treat social ties as a public-health priority.
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, told the Symposium on Aging that researchers who pooled global data found social connection is associated with a roughly 50% increase in odds of survival.
"We found that being socially connected was associated with a 50 percent increase odds of survival," Holt-Lunstad said, noting she benchmarked the effect against familiar risks such as smoking and obesity to make the public-health importance clearer. She cited recognition of the issue by national and international bodies, including the Office of the Surgeon General and the World Health Organization.
Holt-Lunstad urged a cross-sector response — what she called a "social-in-all-policies" approach — pointing to education, workplace rules, infrastructure and service programs as levers to strengthen connection. "We need a whole-of-society approach," she said, arguing investments early in life and policies that reduce barriers to everyday social contact will improve longevity and reduce strain on health systems.
Her presentation framed social isolation not as a private matter but as a measurable determinant of cardiovascular disease, dementia risk and other chronic conditions. The governor and county leaders at the event signaled interest in translating the research into programs and outreach.
