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The Lonely Planet – Are we experiencing a new global health crisis?

Cambridge Public Health and the Rudd Centre

Cambridge Festival

11:00am -12:30pm, Wednesday 18th March 2026.
Newton room, The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RP

We live in an age of unprecedented digital connection – yet loneliness is rising across all stages of life. What’s driving this paradox? And what does it mean for our health, our relationships, and our society?

This event brings together researchers from multiple disciplines to explore how loneliness is experienced at different life stages, why it’s rising in our increasingly connected world, and the factors that drive it — including social media use, economic pressures, and the erosion of social networks.

Audience members will be invited to participate in live polls and questions, enabling us to collectively explore how loneliness is experienced and understood today. As we move further into an era of AI and rapid technological change, how can we better understand and respond to the causes, impacts, and possible solutions for our ‘Lonely Planet’?