Senate Approves Cryan-Ruiz Bill on Ill Effects of Social Isolation

Task force would examine impact on vulnerable groups  

Trenton – With more evidence of an increasing number of people experiencing the ill effects on their psychological and physical health because of social isolation, Senator Joe Cryan and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz have advanced legislation to study the impact on vulnerable populations.

The bill, S-3692/A-5314, establishing the New Jersey Task Force to Prevent Loneliness and Social Isolation was approved today by the Senate with a vote of 40-0.

“Social isolation is the root cause of psychological and physical health problems and there are certain populations who are especially vulnerable, including the elderly, the disabled, those with mental illness and members of the military,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union). “Medical and scientific studies are showing that the loss of social activities and interactions with other people can have a real impact on the health and wellbeing of a growing number of people.”

The legislation would create a task force to study how isolation and loneliness impact groups susceptible to health problems caused by detachment from social interaction. The study would assess and report on the nature and frequency of social isolation and determine available resources for combatting the social isolation.

“This is a public health concern that needs greater understanding,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “There are a variety of social trends that appear to be contributing to this issue. This task force will help determine the causes and hopefully identify remedies that can be taken to address the problem so we can help these groups.”

Research published by the National Institute on Aging found about 28 percent of elderly adults — some 13.8 million nationwide — live alone, putting them at higher risks anxiety, depression, elevated blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and even death, the NIA noted. What the federal Health Resources and Services Administration calls the “loneliness epidemic” among elderly adults adds an estimated $6.7 billion to the nation’s health care spending annually.

The task force would include professionals working in or representing organizations and agencies that provide counseling, health care, mental health care, support care, or other social or daily living assistance to members of the vulnerable populations and their caregivers.