4.Q. Round table: Loneliness as a public health priority: Advancing evidence-based interventions and policy action

Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a critical public health concern, with growing evidence linking it to poor mental and physical health. The issue has gained substantial international attention, from national strategies for loneliness in several countries to the World Health Organization's recent establishment of a global commission and an expert advisory group on social connection. These developments reflect a growing recognition of loneliness as both a societal and public health challenge. This roundtable aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of the current evidence base for loneliness interventions and to explore the implications for policy and practice. We will draw on recent state-of-the-art literature reviews that synthesise available evidence on the effectiveness of interventions, highlight the diversity and limitations of current approaches, and identify key gaps in knowledge and implementation. Through an interactive dialogue with the audience, the roundtable will critically examine which types of interventions are most promising. The panel will also discuss how to translate this evidence into policy action and provide guidelines and recommendations for advancing the field of loneliness interventions. Brief presentations from the four panelist will provide key insights and set the stage for an engaging discussion.