Social disconnectedness (e.g. loneliness and social isolation) is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality [ 1 – 3 ]. These associations are believed to be comprised of behavioural, psychological, and physiological pathways [ 4 – 6 …]. This implies that social disconnectedness influences health behaviours, triggers conditions like stress and depression, and impacts cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, immune, and inflammatory mechanisms. This complex interplay gives rise to detrimental conditions that increase the likelihood of incident disease. In particular, loneliness, a subjective, unpleasant emotional state resulting from a discrepancy between desired and achieved levels of social contact [
