There’s plenty of conversation about physical, mental, and emotional wellness, but what about social health? It’s our connection to others that plays a critical role in how we live and age. As people age and life circumstances shift, the risk of social isolation increases. This can lead to issues including cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease.
“Social isolation has an impact on one’s emotional well-being, but also one’s physical well-being,” says Rob Wheeler, executive director of the Mizell Center in Palm Springs. He sees the benefits of social engagement every day. The senior center serves approximately 100 lunches each weekday. While nutrition is a primary goal, social connection is part of the design. “Our dining room is made up of four-top tables, and every day we see the connection people are making with one another.”
The 2025 Community Health survey for the Coachella Valley from Health Assessment and Research for Communities (HARC) indicates that 8 percent of local adults feel lonely “often” or “always.” The National Institute on Aging reports that social isolation and loneliness have been linked to certain physical and mental conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline, as well as reduced life expectancy.
Sandy Garcia-Cuevas, a licensed clinical social worker at Eisenhower Behavioral Health, sees this regularly in her practice. “Social connection is declining across the board, especially in the wake of COVID, but as you age, there’s more of a risk,” she says, noting an increase around age 75, as that’s when mobility and sensory issues can arise. Caregivers also run the risk of becoming socially isolated as responsibilities multiply.
The good news is there are ways to address the issue. “The first step I recommend is to really just sit with yourself and ask yourself: What do you need?” advises Garcia-Cuevas. It may be as simple as missing friends or family. In that case, start with a phone call or arrange to meet for lunch or coffee. If the problem is too much screen time and not enough actual face time, she recommends going for a walk and connecting with neighbors or others in your community.
Other behavioral shifts might include signing up for an exercise or art class, joining a group hike, or seeing what programs your local library has to offer. Many people find community in volunteer work. “Mizell is really fueled by volunteers, the majority of whom are seniors themselves. Volunteerism is the way they connect with others but also contribute to community, to the well-being of Mizell — plus, they feel the benefit themselves.” Feedback from the center’s volunteers shows it’s an part of their week.
“Finding people whom you connect with or feel supported by is important. We’re social animals, and we need those connections,” Garcia-Cuevas says. It’s easy to assume the internet and social media can fill that role. While the latter can be valuable connectors — especially for those who are physically isolated or far from family and friends — they’re best used in moderation, she says, and not as a replacement for in-person connection.
Life transitions, including losing a spouse or partner, retirement, reduced mobility, separation from friends or family, and even being thrust into the role of caregiver, can all lead to social isolation. Research shows that strengthening social connections can lead to many health benefits including boosted immune systems, healthier hearts, lower blood pressure, and, ultimately, longer lives.
by the numbers
1 in 6
people experience loneliness
Between 2014 and 2023, about 1 in 6 people worldwide reported feeling lonely, according to a 2025 report from the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection. In the United States, that number rises to 1 in 3, according to the CDC.
62%
stress over societal division
More than 3 in 5 adults cite societal division as a major source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association. Those who feel this stress are more likely to report feeling isolated (54%), left out (50%), or lacking companionship (50%).
15
cigarettes per day
Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively, according to a 2022 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General — comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
58%
feel optimistic about life
Most adults say they feel optimistic about their lives all or most of the time, according to a 2025 report from Pew Research Center. Another 32% say they feel this way sometimes, while 1 in 10 say they rarely or never do.
1 in 5
Coachella Valley adults live alone
About 20 percent of Coachella Valley adults live alone, according to a 2022 Riverside County Public Health community profile.