Loneliness as a Vital Sign: Toward a Biopsychosocial Reframing of Social Disconnection

Conceptualizing loneliness as a vital sign offers a translational pathway to normalize assessment, reduce stigma, and integrate social connection into biopsychosocial models of care. Theory-informed implementation strategies are essential to support adoption, equity, and long-term maintenance. This reframing positions primary care as a critical site for early identification and intervention and underscores the central role of health, clinical, and community psychology in advancing whole-person, socially responsive healthcare.