Research & Evidence

Why Community
Matters

Stronger neighbor relationships don’t just feel good—they shape health, families, and the long-term strength of our communities.

This Is Happening Here

Across the country—and right here in Utah—something important is weakening.

Even in good neighborhoods, many people feel disconnected. We live near each other, share the same streets, send our kids to the same schools—and still feel like strangers.

+40%

of Utah adults report significant loneliness1

People in a neighborhood
This Is More Than a Social Issue

Loneliness and disconnection are structural issues affecting health, families, and communities.

Connection Is a Health Factor

+26% increased risk of premature death from loneliness2

Social isolation raises that risk even further—by 29%.2 The impact is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.3

Children & Families Thrive

Stronger ties, better outcomes

Neighborhood connection improves child development, reduces parenting stress, and creates an environment where families support each other.5,6,7

Opportunity & Safety Improve

Social capital shapes communities

Connected neighborhoods have better educational outcomes and lower crime rates. Social trust—built neighbor by neighbor—is what researchers call “collective efficacy.”8,9

The Research Is Clear
26%
higher risk of premature death from loneliness2
6
neighbors you know is enough to significantly reduce loneliness4
29%
higher risk from social isolation—comparable to smoking3
Utah community
This Matters in Utah

Utah’s suicide rate is higher than the national average—especially among men.10

Social isolation is a key contributor.11 These aren’t distant statistics—they reflect the quiet struggles of people in our own neighborhoods who feel unseen and unconnected.

The antidote isn’t a hotline or a program. It’s a neighbor who shows up.

When neighbors connect,
health improves and communities strengthen.

The pattern is consistent across research. Knowing your neighbors isn’t just good for the soul—it’s one of the most effective things you can do for your long-term health, your family, and your community.

Start where you are.

Take one small step toward someone nearby. Becoming a Porchlight Home is how it starts.

Become a Porchlight Home

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau. Household Pulse Survey
  2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Importance of Connections
  3. Holt-Lunstad et al. PMC2910600
  4. Nextdoor. Global Study on Neighbor Connections
  5. Turley et al. PMC5124440
  6. McCloskey & Pei. PMC6472962
  7. Barnhart et al. PMC9030551
  8. Woolley et al. doi:10.1093/cs/30.3.133
  9. Sampson et al. PubMed 9252316
  10. Utah Health. Utah Suicide Data
  11. Walker et al. arXiv:2506.15030