Title

Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States

Authors

·       Holt-Lunstad J.^a,

·       Robles T.F.^b,

·       Sbarra D.A.^c

Author Affiliations

·       ^a Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, United States

·       ^b Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States

·       ^c Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, United States

Publication Information

American Psychological Association Inc.

Date of Publication

Sep 2017

Series/Report no.

American Psychologist Vol. 72, Iss. 6

Key words

  Intervention;  Public health;  Social networks;  Social support

Abstract

A robust body of scientific evidence has indicated that being embedded in high-quality close relationships and feeling socially connected to the people in one's life is associated with decreased risk for all-cause mortality as well as a range of disease morbidities. Despite mounting evidence that the magnitude of these associations is comparable to that of many leading health determinants (that receive significant public health resources), government agencies, health care providers and associations, and public or private health care funders have been slow to recognize human social relationships as either a health determinant or health risk marker in a manner that is comparable to that of other public health priorities. This article evaluates current evidence (on social relationships and health) according to criteria commonly used in determining public health priorities. The article discusses challenges for reducing risk in this area and outlines an agenda for integrating social relationships into current public health priorities. 

주요 내용

개인의 삶에서 사람들과 사회적으로 연결되어 있다고 느끼는 것은 다양한 질병뿐 아니라 모든 원인 사망에 대한 위험 감소와 관련이 있다는 강력한 과학적 증거가 제시되어 왔다. 그럼에도 불구하고 정부 기관이나 관련 협회들은 여태껏 사회적 관계를 건강과 관련 지어 고려하는 것을 소홀히 하였다. 본 연구는 사회적 관계와 건강에 대한 현재의 증거들을 평가한다.

ISSN

0003 066X

DOI

10.1037/amp0000103