Press Release

Today, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Mike Flood (R-NE-01) introduced the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act. This bill aims to bring uniformity to reporting measurements for loneliness and isolation following the former U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration of loneliness and isolation as a public health epidemic in the United States. 

“As a doctor, I have seen firsthand how loneliness and social isolation take a serious toll on both physical and mental health—contributing to chronic disease, mental health struggles and even premature death,” said Rep. Bera. “This isn’t just a social issue; it’s a public health crisis that demands a coordinated response. The Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act ensures that federal agencies work together to develop a unified approach, enabling us to advance smarter policies and meaningfully address this crisis.”

“Increased mobility and digital living have accelerated community fragmentation and underlie the epidemic,” said Rep. Flood. “As I’ve traveled the district, residents of every demographic across Nebraska have shared stories about loneliness, and it often leads to poor health outcomes. The Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act is a first step towards getting our arms around the scope of this epidemic so we can support solutions that work. Thank you to my colleague Rep. Bera for helping lead this important work.”

The Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a working group of experts and stakeholders to provide recommendations for standardizing measurements and definitions of loneliness and isolation. While the United States recognizes loneliness and isolation to be an epidemic, little action has been done since the declaration. This bill aims to be a springboard for future policy actions to combat the loneliness and isolation epidemic.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.