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How Social Networks Affect Your Health
Fall brings colored leaves and a new school year. From elementary school through college, the anticipation of meeting new teachers, new classmates and new friends can be an exciting, though daunting, experience. New groups of friends take shape. They can influence each other’s behavior, including activities that affect their health, such as smoking, drinking and taking illegal drugs. Recently, researchers have come to understand that social groups can influence health in more subtle ways as well, in people of all ages.
Friendships and peer groups provide more than simple companionship. Strong friendships may become the most important relationships you have, particularly during times of stress and change.