Do we suffer more because we are less social now than we were in the past? Some population health and care delivery experts believe so.

In a new op-ed in Forbes, CareMore Health System CEO Sachin H. Jain noted that programs designed to connect patients for the purposes of information sharing and mutual support often show demonstrable population health outcome improvements.

Specifically, he observed, patient connecting programs have increased engagement and demonstrated outcome improvement in depression, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and even cystic fibrosis management.

“A growing number of healthcare organizations, particularly those focused on senior care, have recognized the importance of social interaction to health,” Jain wrote. “Social interaction is seen as a medicine in itself—and is often a key engagement tool, getting patients further engaged in their health and is an integral part of the clinical delivery model.”

See Jain’s full op-ed here, in Forbes.