summary
Introduced
03/18/2024
03/18/2024
In Committee
03/18/2024
03/18/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
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 affecting individuals across New Jersey and the United States. The resolution highlights that loneliness is a subjective experience resulting from inadequate meaningful connections and can lead to serious health consequences, including increased risks of mental health challenges, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death. Drawing on the United States Surgeon General's declaration of a loneliness epidemic on May 3, 2023, the resolution emphasizes that more than one in five adults and one in three young adults are living with mental illness, making social connection crucial for individual and community well-being. The resolution specifically notes that loneliness can increase the risk of depression by more than double and can impact both immediate and long-term mental health, particularly in childhood and adulthood. By officially recognizing loneliness as a public health crisis, the New Jersey Senate aims to proactively address the adverse health outcomes associated with social isolation and promote strategies to improve social connections across the state.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 03/18/2024)
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/SR85 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SR/85_I1.HTM |
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