summary
Introduced
02/22/2024
02/22/2024
In Committee
06/03/2024
06/03/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
10/28/2024
10/28/2024
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
10/28/2024
10/28/2024
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis. The United States Surgeon General declared a loneliness epidemic on May 3, 2023 due to an increase in the number of people experiencing loneliness and the adverse health effects that those individuals are prone to experience. Loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives and to experience premature death. While the epidemic of loneliness and isolation is widespread and has profound consequences for our individual and collective health and well-being, there is an available solution to the problem: social connection. Social connection is beneficial for individual health, improving the resilience of our communities, and decreasing the feeling of loneliness. With more than one in five adults and more than one in three young adults living with a mental illness in the United States, addressing loneliness and isolation is critical in order to fully address the mental health crisis in New Jersey. It is fitting to recognize the loneliness epidemic and its effects on the health of New Jerseyans throughout the State in effort to proactively take necessary action in curtailing its adverse public health outcomes.
AI Summary
This resolution recognizes loneliness as a significant public health crisis in New Jersey, drawing on the United States Surgeon General's May 3, 2023 declaration about the widespread epidemic of loneliness. The resolution highlights the serious health consequences of loneliness and social isolation, including increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and premature death. It emphasizes that loneliness is a subjective experience resulting from perceived inadequate social connections, and notes that more than one in five adults and one in three young adults in the United States are living with mental illness. The resolution acknowledges that social connection is a key solution to addressing this crisis, with potential benefits including improved individual health, community resilience, and overall well-being. Ultimately, the General Assembly formally recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis affecting New Jersey residents and directs the Clerk of the General Assembly to transmit the resolution to the Commissioner of Health, signaling a commitment to addressing this emerging health challenge.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Filed with Secretary of State (on 10/28/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AR111 |
| Analysis - Statement AHE 6/3/24 | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/111_S1.PDF |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/111_I1.HTM |
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