journal · Public research summary
Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review
Stronger social relationships were associated with higher odds of survival (pooled OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.42–1.59).
Educational only. Associations do not establish individual risk or diagnosis. Read the original sources and limitations. Editorial review: 2026-10-06.
Citation
Holt-Lunstad J et al. · PLOS Medicine · 2010 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
Study design
Meta-analysis of observational studies
Population
148 studies and 308,849 participants.
Measured outcome
Survival association
Finding
Stronger social relationships were associated with higher odds of survival (pooled OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.42–1.59).
Limitations
An odds ratio is not a percentage-point benefit or extra years. Relationship measures and follow-up differ; this does not prove a particular number of weekly meetings changes lifespan.
Habit topics
Make room for people
Interpretation
Research comparisons are not personal lifespan predictions. Years from different studies, habits, populations and outcomes cannot be added. Supporting studies do not validate the numeric estimate of another study.