Rising concerns about social isolation and loneliness globally have highlighted the need for a greater understanding of their mental and physical health implications. Robust evidence documents social connection factors as independent predictors of mental and physical health, with some of the strongest evidence on mortality. Although most data are observational, evidence points to directionality of effects, plausible pathways, and in some cases a causal link between social connection and later health outcomes. Societal trends across several indicators reveal increasing rates of those who lack social connection, and a significant portion of the population reporting loneliness. The scientific study on social isolation and loneliness has substantially extended over the past two decades, particularly since 2020; however, its relevance to health and mortality remains underappreciated by the public. Despite the breadth of evidence, several challenges remain, including the need for a common language to reconcile the diverse relevant terms across scientific disciplines, consistent multi-factorial measurement to assess risk, and effective solutions to prevent and mitigate risk. The urgency for future health is underscored by the potentially longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of digital technologies in societal shifts, that could contribute to further declines in social, mental and physical health. To reverse these trends and meet these challenges, recommendations are offered to more comprehensively address gaps in our understanding, and to foster social connection and address social isolation and loneliness.

中文翻译：

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社会联系作为身心健康的关键因素：证据、趋势、挑战和未来影响


全球范围内对社会孤立和孤独感的担忧日益加剧，凸显了需要更好地了解其对心理和身体健康的影响。强有力的证据证明社会联系因素是心理和身体健康的独立预测因素，其中一些关于死亡率的最有力证据。尽管大多数数据都是观察性的，但证据表明了影响的方向性、合理的途径，以及在某些情况下社会联系与后来的健康结果之间的因果关系。多项指标的社会趋势显示，缺乏社会联系的人数不断增加，而且很大一部分人口感到孤独。过去二十年，尤其是 2020 年以来，关于社会孤立和孤独感的科学研究得到了大幅扩展；然而，公众仍未充分认识到其与健康和死亡率的相关性。尽管证据广泛，但仍然存在一些挑战，包括需要一种通用语言来协调跨科学学科的不同相关术语、评估风险的一致的多因素测量以及预防和减轻风险的有效解决方案。 COVID-19 大流行可能产生的长期后果以及数字技术在社会转变中的作用凸显了未来健康的紧迫性，这可能导致社会、心理和身体健康的进一步下降。为了扭转这些趋势并应对这些挑战，我们提出了一些建议，以更全面地解决我们理解上的差距，并促进社会联系并解决社会孤立和孤独感。