summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 formally recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis, acknowledging the significant negative impacts it has on the health and well-being of New Jersey residents. This recognition stems from the United States Surgeon General's declaration of a "loneliness epidemic" in May 2023, driven by an increase in people experiencing loneliness and its associated adverse health effects, which can include mental health challenges and even premature death, comparable to risks from daily smoking. The resolution highlights that while loneliness is widespread, social connection is a powerful solution that benefits individual health, strengthens communities, and reduces feelings of isolation, emphasizing that addressing loneliness is crucial for tackling the broader mental health crisis in New Jersey.
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 01/13/2026)
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/2026/SR27 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/SR/27_I1.HTM |
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