The resolution recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis in New Jersey, highlighting its significant impact on individual and community health. It cites the United States Surgeon General's declaration of a loneliness epidemic on May 3, 2023, which underscores the increasing number of individuals experiencing loneliness and the associated adverse health effects, including heightened risks of mental health challenges and premature death. The resolution emphasizes that loneliness and isolation can lead to serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia, particularly among older adults, and notes that the risk of developing depression is more than double for those who frequently feel lonely.

To address this crisis, the resolution advocates for the importance of social connection as a solution, which can enhance individual health, strengthen community resilience, and reduce feelings of loneliness. With a significant portion of the population, including over one in five adults and more than one in three young adults, living with mental illness, the resolution stresses the necessity of tackling loneliness and isolation to effectively address the broader mental health crisis in New Jersey. The General Assembly aims to take proactive measures to mitigate the adverse public health outcomes associated with loneliness by formally recognizing it as a critical issue affecting the health of New Jerseyans.