Social health—the neglected third pillar

Abstract

On June 30, 2025, the WHO Commission on Social Connection published its flagship report From loneliness to social connection—charting a path to healthier societies, bringing attention to a timely and critical, but under-recognised public health issue. The report follows the 2023 call from the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy (co-chair of the WHO Commission report) who declared loneliness and social isolation an epidemic in the USA, and the adoption by the World Health Assembly in May 2025, of the first resolution on social connection. The Commission on Social Connection report is unambiguous: social disconnection—social isolation or loneliness—is widespread, with severe effects on health, wellbeing, and society, and must be recognised and addressed accordingly. Yet, social isolation and loneliness have remained largely overlooked in public health agendas.