Individuals interested in improving their odds of survival may want to consider making some more friends. A new Brigham Young University study has found that social connections with friends, family, neighbors or colleagues can improve the odds of survival by 50 percent.

Researchers analyzed data from 148 previously published studies that measured frequency of human interaction and tracked health outcomes for an average of seven and a half years.

"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks," said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, co-author of the study.

Because information on relationship quality was unavailable, the 50 percent increased odds of survival may underestimate the benefit of healthy relationships, they say.

Scientists said that low social interaction can be compared to other poor health risk factors. It is more harmful than not exercising, twice as harmful as obesity and equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic.

"That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health," added co-author Timothy Smith.