These reports, commissioned by Public Health England, are intended to help:

• local authorities
• health and wellbeing boards
• and health and social care professionals

- when devising local programmes and strategies to reduce health inequalities.

Social isolation is a complex social issue with roots at the societal, community and individual level. While social isolation is more commonly considered to occur in later life, people can be affected by social isolation at any age or stage of life.

Reducing social isolation across society will contribute to improving overall health and wellbeing, and to reducing health inequalities.

Organisations in local areas are well placed to work with individuals and communities to identify who is at risk of social isolation and to engage them in finding solutions. Broader interventions in areas such as transport, housing and the built and natural environment will support the creation of conditions that forge and foster good relationships within society.