Fostering Social Connection: Progress and Opportunities in VA and Beyond.

Abstract

Social isolation and loneliness threaten both mental and physical health. This commentary highlights innovative programs that prioritize treating social connection as a social need and driver of health, drawing from four major initiatives within the Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans Socials, Caring Contacts, the Expiration Term of Service Sponsorship Program, and Department of Veterans Affairs S.A.V.E. Key features of these four programs and suggestions for how healthcare systems can act as meaningful catalysts of social connection are provided, including community engagement, volunteer involvement, commitment to research and evaluation, and scaling evidence-based models and education.