April 9, 2026

Loneliness as a health risk: the role of social prescribing in supporting whole-of-person wellbeing

For health professionals, it is well understood that health outcomes are shaped by far more than clinical factors alone. Social connection, community participation, and a sense of belonging are fundamental to wellbeing across the lifespan – and are increasingly recognised as key contributors to both clinical outcomes and long-term health.

In recent years, loneliness has emerged as a significant social determinant of health. While often conceptualised as an emotional experience, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating its biological and neurological impacts, with implications for both physical and mental wellbeing.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for clinical practice. Loneliness rarely presents as the primary concern during a consultation, rather, it may underlie or exacerbate a range of presenting concerns, influencing an individual’s wellbeing, resilience, and capacity to manage their health. Social prescribing offers a practical, person-centred approach to identifying and addressing these broader determinants.

Understanding loneliness and social isolation

Loneliness and social isolation are closely related concepts, but they are not the same.

Social isolation refers to the objective absence or limitation of social relationships or interactions. This can be due to personal choice, circumstances, or physical or mental health conditions. Loneliness, by contrast, is a subjective experience of distress arising from a discrepancy between desired and actual social connection.

Interestingly, these experiences do not always occur together. Individuals may have limited social contact yet feel content and connected, while others may report loneliness despite being socially connected.

This distinction is clinically relevant. Interventions that focus solely on increasing the number of social interactions may not be effective unless those interactions are perceived as meaningful and supportive by the individual.

A growing public health concern in Australia

Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a priority public health issue in Australia.

Loneliness and social isolation were already recognised as concerns in Australia before the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on movement and social contact between 2020 and 2022 intensified these experiences for many people, although more recent data suggests levels have since declined across most age groups.

Data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey indicates that in 2023:

15% of Australians aged 15 and over experienced social isolation.
A similar proportion reported experiencing loneliness.

Certain population groups appear to be disproportionately affected:

Males aged 25–54 reported higher levels of social isolation.
Females in the same age group reported higher levels of loneliness.
Males aged 55–64 experienced higher levels of both social isolation and loneliness.

Clinical implications of loneliness

Research increasingly shows that loneliness is associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including:

Cardiovascular disease.
Faster cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia.
Depression and anxiety.
Poorer sleep quality.
Reduced immune functioning.
Higher mortality risk.
Eating disorders, such as binge or comfort eating.

Some studies suggest the health risks associated with chronic loneliness are comparable to those linked to smoking or physical inactivity. The mechanisms behind these associations are complex, but emerging research from neuroscience and behavioural science offers some insight.

How loneliness affects the brain and body

From an evolutionary perspective, humans are inherently social. Which is why feeling disconnected from others can activate biological responses similar to those triggered by other chronic stressors.

Current evidence suggests that loneliness may:

Increase sensitivity to perceived social threat, resulting in heightened vigilance for rejection or criticism.
Contribute to negative interpretation of social cues, reinforcing patterns of withdrawal and disconnection.
Activate physiological stress responses, including increased activity in the body’s stress system.
Influence changes in brain regions involved in emotional regulation, memory, and social processing.

Encouragingly, research on animals suggests many of these changes may be reversible when meaningful social connection is restored, reinforcing the importance of early identification and intervention that support reconnection and belonging.

Identifying loneliness in clinical practice

Loneliness is unlikely to be identified as the presenting issue. Instead, individuals may present with:

Persistent fatigue.
Low mood.
Sleep difficulties.
Reduced motivation or engagement.
Increased pain levels due to fatigue and lethargy.

Health professionals are well positioned to identify indicators of social disconnection, including:

Reduced social contact following retirement, relocation, or life transition.
Bereavement or relationship changes.
Extended periods of time spent alone.
Decreased motivation or engagement in previously enjoyed activities.
Changes in routine, such as with diet, exercise, medication intake, increase alcohol and/or other drug use.

Clinical enquiry should extend beyond symptom presentation to include the individual’s broader psychosocial context. For example:

“What does a typical week look like for you at the moment?”
“Who are the people you spend time with?”
“Are there activities you used to enjoy that you haven’t been able to do recently?”
“Are you generally happy?”

Such questions can support a more comprehensive understanding of factors influencing health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing: a person-centred approach

Social prescribing is an approach that enables health professionals to address non-clinical determinants of health by facilitating access to community-based supports

This may include referral or connections to activities such as:

Community groups (e.g. Men’s sheds, walking groups).
Arts and creative programs.
Volunteering opportunities.
Community gardens and recreational activities.
Cultural or learning groups.
Online options for connection.

For many people, reconnecting with community can improve mood, increase physical activity, instil a sense of contribution and purpose, and strengthen confidence. These changes can in turn support improved engagement with broader health and wellbeing goals.

Importantly, the quality and perceived meaningfulness or social connections are critical determinants of effectiveness.

Integrating social prescribing into consultations

As an informal process, social prescribing often begins with a moment of curiosity about the broader context of a person’s life. These conversations can be had with any professional at a clinic with whom the individual has an appointment with.

When a person presents with ongoing distress, fatigue, low mood, or difficulties maintaining healthy routines, it can be helpful to explore whether social connection might be playing a role. Where clinically appropriate, practitioners may explore:

The individual’s level of social engagement.
Opportunities for meaningful connection.
Interest in community-based activities.

Gentle, open-ended questions can open the door to this conversation, such as:

“What does a typical week look like for you outside of work or appointments?”
“Are there activities or groups you enjoy being part of?”
“Do you feel you have enough opportunities to connect with others?”

Where social disconnection is identified, supporting the individual to identify appropriate, accessible, and meaningful options is often the next step.

Facilitating access to community supports

For health professionals, one of the most practical challenges in social prescribing is knowing where to direct individuals once a need for connection has been identified. Community resources can be rich and diverse, but they are not always easy to navigate within the time constraints of a consultation.

Sonder provides a wide range of group programs and community-based activities designed to support connection across different stages of life and areas of wellbeing.

Across South Australia, Sonder facilitates:

Mental wellbeing groups – structured and supportive environments focused on connection and coping.
Physical health and lifestyle programs – encouraging movement, routine, and confidence.
Youth programs – supporting social connection, resilience, and positive identity development.
Workshops and community events – opportunities for engagement and skill building.

In addition, local councils can provide information on community groups and initiatives, and local community centres often have noticeboards promoting upcoming activities.

For some individuals, a structured group program can provide a supported pathway back into community participation. For others, less formal or one-off activities may represent a more accessible first step toward reconnecting with interests and friendships.

Supporting whole-of-person care

Addressing loneliness is not intended to replace clinical interventions, but to complement them.

By recognising and responding to the role of social connection in health, practitioners can support more comprehensive, whole-of-person care. Incorporating approaches such as social prescribing may contribute to improved clinical outcomes, enhanced wellbeing, and greater patient engagement.

Even brief, targeted conversations about social connection can support meaningful and sustained improvements in health.