This meta-analytic review examines the relationship between social relationships and mortality risk. The study, conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, and J. Bradley Layton, analyzed data from 148 studies involving 308,849 participants to determine the extent to which social relationships influence mortality risk. The results indicate that individuals with stronger social relationships have a 50% increased likelihood of survival compared to those with weaker social relationships. This effect is consistent across various factors such as age, sex, initial health status, cause of death, and follow-up period. The study found that multidimensional assessments of social integration were the most predictive of reduced mortality risk, while binary indicators of residential status (living alone versus with others) had the lowest predictive value. The findings suggest that social relationships play a significant role in mortality risk, comparable to well-established risk factors such as smoking and obesity. The authors recommend that social relationship factors should be included in medical evaluations and public health initiatives to reduce mortality risk.This meta-analytic review examines the relationship between social relationships and mortality risk. The study, conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, and J. Bradley Layton, analyzed data from 148 studies involving 308,849 participants to determine the extent to which social relationships influence mortality risk. The results indicate that individuals with stronger social relationships have a 50% increased likelihood of survival compared to those with weaker social relationships. This effect is consistent across various factors such as age, sex, initial health status, cause of death, and follow-up period. The study found that multidimensional assessments of social integration were the most predictive of reduced mortality risk, while binary indicators of residential status (living alone versus with others) had the lowest predictive value. The findings suggest that social relationships play a significant role in mortality risk, comparable to well-established risk factors such as smoking and obesity. The authors recommend that social relationship factors should be included in medical evaluations and public health initiatives to reduce mortality risk.