WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Flood is calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. to take action against America’s loneliness epidemic.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden, declared a loneliness epidemic in 2023. He cited increases in screen time and less face-to-face interactions, a decline in time spent at community spaces like church or social clubs, remote work and changing family structures.

Rep. Flood said increased mobility and digital living have accelerated community fragmentation and underlie the epidemic.

He said the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act is a first step toward solutions.

Here is the congressman's press release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE) and Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced the “Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act,” a bill that aims to bring uniformity to reporting measurements for loneliness and isolation. This legislation comes after the former U.S. Surgeon General previously declared loneliness and isolation to be a public health epidemic in the United States. 

 “Increased mobility and digital living have accelerated community fragmentation and underlie the epidemic,” said Congressman 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.”

"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 Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. "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."

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 combatting the loneliness and isolation epidemic.

 

Mike Flood is the founder and an owner of Flood Communications and News Channel Nebraska.