Does Social Connection actually make a difference, or is it overhyped?

A widely cited meta-analytic review of over 300,000 participants found stronger social relationships are associated with a 50% reduction in mortality risk, comparable in magnitude to established risk factors like smoking. Weighing the data: Social Connection looks well-supported and consequential — the evidence is rated strong (85/100) and its estimated impact on longevity is also rated highly (90/100), making it one of the more solidly-backed choices on Vitaebase.