This bill establishes a new Office of Social Connection Policy within the Executive Office of the President to address the growing epidemic of loneliness and social disconnection in the United States. The office, headed by a Director appointed with Senate confirmation, would develop a national strategy to improve social connection and coordinate federal efforts across all agencies to combat loneliness, which the Surgeon General has identified as a serious public health threat linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death. The bill creates an advisory council composed of representatives from thirteen federal agencies and non-federal experts including healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, researchers, state and local officials, and advocacy groups for veterans, youth, and other populations, which would meet quarterly and issue annual reports assessing progress and recommending legislative changes. The bill authorizes five million dollars annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support research on loneliness and social connection, and requires federal agencies to share relevant data with the office to inform policy decisions.
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