I think it depends on one's personality. Some people enjoy solitude and don't wish for loads of friends and acquaintances. In fact, having a 'social circle' can be a kind of hell for those types.
Others (like me!) enjoy social interaction, and living as I do in a small village community where everyone knows me, I feel surrounded by friends and neighbours to whom I could turn to for help, who are genuinely interested in my welfare, and with whom I can have a good laugh and a joke.
However, even village life can have its downside. There have been lately quite a few 'skirmishes' among the residents, often provoked by gossip and repeating what someone said etc. These can become quite bitter and heated. I've learned over the years to repeat nothing anyone has said, to restrict my personal comments and opinions to only a trusted few, and to keep calm amid the storms.
I agree that well-being socially contributes much to physical health and well-being. Stress causes untold medical problems, and a supportive community reduces stress tremendously.