Link to the source
1️⃣ SUMMARY
This focus reproduces a chapter from the forthcoming prospective report « How will we live in France tomorrow? » (p. 3). It starts from the observation that lifestyles have changed faster than the collective frameworks that accompany them (p. 25). By 2035, it describes the erosion of social ties, the rise of loneliness, the increasing role of digital technology and AI, less linear life paths, and the inadequacy of the housing stock (p. 7-16). By 2050, it addresses culture as a lever for cohesion and sovereignty, autonomy and engagement in a more digitised society, and the conditions for a liveable life across the territory (p. 16-24). The proposals are aimed at public authorities. It concludes with three key proposals: two framework laws, one on the attention economy, the other on cultural sovereignty; the adaptation of social and family rights to new forms of relationships; the inclusion of habitability as a legal principle (p. 25).
2️⃣ WHAT TO REMEMBER
1️⃣ Loneliness: a quantified observation and a proposal. In 2026, 22% of French people report feeling often or always alone, 35% among 18-24 year olds (Destin Commun study, self-reported data, p. 9). The document proposes a national inter-ministerial strategy for preventing loneliness (proposal, p. 12).
2️⃣ Attention as a public health issue. The document estimates that the precautionary principle should lead to making attention a public health issue (p. 11). It proposes a framework law on the attention economy » and « national strategy for preventing loneliness » (p. 11-12)
3️⃣ Habitability, proposed legal principle. Relying on the work of philosopher Baptiste Morizot and jurist Laurent Neyret, the document defines habitability as what makes possible a dignified human life on a territory: a roof, but also clean water, breathable air, social ties, nearby natural spaces, and places for culture and meeting. It plans to make it a "protected value" at a constitutional level, on par with freedom or dignity (p. 24). It proposes to incorporate it into urban planning and the environment law. By 2035, it would become an enforceable criterion in territorial planning. By 2050, urban planning law would be revised to replace the accumulation of standards with a "synthetic habitability test" (proposal, p. 24-25).
3️⃣ TO ACT
No tool directly usable on the ground is provided by the document. The following suggestions are actions requested by the document, aimed at public authorities; they do not yet exist.
1️⃣ Identify nearby loneliness (action requested by the document). The proposed national strategy would rely on early identification via local health professionals (general practitioners, pharmacists, social workers), enhanced support for associations, and the maintenance of accessible collective places (p. 12).
2️⃣ Frame digital usage with families (action requested by the document). The document asks to distinguish uses according to their effects on attention, sleep, or cyberbullying, by involving establishments, families, and communities around simple rules (p. 11).
3️⃣ Recognise ordinary places of sociability (action requested by the document). The document calls for recognising local businesses, libraries, cultural and sports facilities, and associations as essential assets for social cohesion, and for securing their presence in the territories (p. 12).
4️⃣ 3 PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
1️⃣ Does social isolation have effects on health ? According to the document, it "would have significant effects" on health and mortality and "could be compared" to 15 cigarettes a day (figure attributed to the Surgeon General of the United States, 2023). It also cites the quality of relationships as one of the best predictors of health (p. 12-13).
2️⃣ What does the document propose regarding screens for young people ? A framework law with transparency of recommendation algorithms, banning addictive design mechanisms aimed at those under 15 years old and indicators of attentional health. Primary school and secondary school could be thought of as places without screens or AI, except for dedicated teaching (p. 11).
3️⃣ Why is housing presented as a health issue ? A third of homes are thermal boilers in summer and 40 % have no external sun protection. The document states that adapting housing to the climate has become a determinant of public health (p. 15).
5️⃣ TO GO FURTHER
1️⃣ Health Practices Blog — " Social links and loneliness in OECD countries " (9 April 2026) : read the article. Presents a report from the OECD on social links and loneliness, with comparative data including France. Open link and verified on 7 October 2026.
OTHER ARTICLES on the theme of Habitat - https://www.pratiquesensante.com/blog/tag/habitat-61 and on social connection and isolation - https://www.pratiquesensante.com/2-7-isolement
2️⃣ External resource — WHO Commission on social connection, "From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies" ("From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies"), launched on 30 June 2025: page of the report. Report in English; summary in plain language available in French, infographics and summary slideshow. Link open and verified on 7 October 2026.
6️⃣ HASHTAGS
#healthpractices #Prospective #SocialConnection #Loneliness #MentalHealth #AttentionEconomy #Habitability #HealthDeterminants
7️⃣ VIEW ON HEALTH PRACTICES
Analysis Health Practices, not attributable to the authors of the document.
⚠️ Accessibility (literacy): health literacy is not explicitly addressed; the document does mention the ability to verify information and exercise judgment (p. 19-20) and a right to an explanation of algorithmic decisions (p. 19).
⚠️ Empowerment: partially addressed: engagement of 60-75 year olds (mentoring, volunteering, p. 14), engagement as a meeting place (p. 20), Lovre-Lens involving residents in its project (p. 17); the participation of affected individuals in policy development is not developed.
✅ Equity: territorial and intergenerational inequalities, poor housing for about 4 million people (p. 14), single-parent families and the Visale system (p. 8), welcoming migration without spatial segregation (p. 23).
✅ Networking: strategy for preventing loneliness carried out in an inter-ministerial manner (p. 12) ; rules on digital matters involving institutions, families and communities (p. 11) ; call for an explicit hierarchy of priorities between state-region plan contracts, Action Heart of the City and Small Towns of Tomorrow (p. 22) ».
Assessment : the main strength is a cross-cutting reading of the determinants of health (social link, digital, housing, culture, territories) ; the main shortcoming is the lack of operational modalities and the involvement of the people concerned in implementation.
This article was developed in accordance with the Charter
on the use of artificial intelligence in Health Practices.
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