Social relationships significantly influence health behaviors across the life course. This review synthesizes research on how various social ties affect health behaviors at different life stages and how these processes accumulate over time. Social integration, support, and control are key factors, with both positive and negative effects on health. Social support can promote healthy behaviors, while stress and negative social interactions may lead to unhealthy behaviors. The impact of social ties varies across life stages, with childhood and adolescence being critical periods for shaping health outcomes. Peer relationships are particularly influential in adolescence, while marital and family ties become more significant in adulthood. Social ties also influence health through symbolic meanings, such as the status associated with certain behaviors. Mental health is a crucial mediator in these relationships, affecting both social ties and health behaviors. Future research should explore the cumulative life course processes, the role of personal dispositions, and the interplay between social and genetic factors. Policy considerations highlight the need to address the complex effects of social ties on health, ensuring that interventions promote health for all groups. Overall, social relationships are fundamental to health behaviors, and understanding their impact is essential for improving public health.Social relationships significantly influence health behaviors across the life course. This review synthesizes research on how various social ties affect health behaviors at different life stages and how these processes accumulate over time. Social integration, support, and control are key factors, with both positive and negative effects on health. Social support can promote healthy behaviors, while stress and negative social interactions may lead to unhealthy behaviors. The impact of social ties varies across life stages, with childhood and adolescence being critical periods for shaping health outcomes. Peer relationships are particularly influential in adolescence, while marital and family ties become more significant in adulthood. Social ties also influence health through symbolic meanings, such as the status associated with certain behaviors. Mental health is a crucial mediator in these relationships, affecting both social ties and health behaviors. Future research should explore the cumulative life course processes, the role of personal dispositions, and the interplay between social and genetic factors. Policy considerations highlight the need to address the complex effects of social ties on health, ensuring that interventions promote health for all groups. Overall, social relationships are fundamental to health behaviors, and understanding their impact is essential for improving public health.