Social connections improve people's physical and mental health, enhance job satisfaction and societal co-operation, and strengthen community bonds. The reverse is also true, social isolation, loneliness and disconnection can have serious health consequences.
Social Connections and Loneliness in OECD Countries provides a comprehensive comparative assessment of the state of social connections.
The report identifies who is most vulnerable to isolation and loneliness – including the elderly, those who live alone, and those experiencing financial precarity – as well as newly emerging at-risk groups, such as men and young people. It highlights social infrastructure and excessive engagement with digital media as possible drivers of (dis)connection and considers the policy implications of both.
The OECD will launch this new report on Thursday 16 October at 14:00 (CEST).
Opening remarks by Yoshiki Takeuchi, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD
Presentation of key findings by Romina Boarini, Director, OECD WISE Centre
Panel discussion:
- Moderator: Lara Fleischer, Head of Unit, Well-being Data and Policy Practice, OECD WISE Centre
- Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University
- Hillevi Busch, Public Health Agency of Sweden
- Austėja Tamaliūnaitė, Social Prescription Programme, Lithuanian Ministry of Health
- Gentiana Malo, "Attentif aux autres", Association Astrée
- Eddie Garcia, Founder, Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC)
Journalists can see the full agenda and register to follow the launch here.
Media can request embargoed copies of Social Connections and Loneliness in OECD Countries by writing to embargo@oecd.org. Journalists requesting an electronic version in advance of the release time agree to respect OECD embargo conditions.
For more information, journalists are invited to contact Yumiko Sugaya in the OECD Media Office.
Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to preserve individual liberty and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.