HOUSTON — Social health is an often-overlooked component of overall wellness, but medical experts say spending time with others is just as important as physical and mental health care.

Dr. Andrea Taylor is a clinical psychologist at UT Health, and she emphasizes that social connectedness is fundamental to well-being.

"I think one of the important things to realize is that social connectedness is a part of health," Taylor said.

She explained that patients with strong social support systems tend to have better health outcomes.

"It's very intertwined and we know, for example, that when people are going through physical health issues, could be recovery from a heart attack, could be recovery from cancer or going through the cancer experience, that those who have social support and social co

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