MSPs have called for urgent action to tackle the "contemporary disease" of loneliness in Scotland.

Opposition politicians pressed the Scottish Government to do more in the wake of what is thought to have been the first parliamentary inquiry anywhere in the world to specifically consider the issue.

Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee concluded that loneliness is as damaging to health as poverty and poor housing, and called for a national strategy and publicity campaign to combat it.

During a debate at the Scottish Parliament, the committee convener, Labour MSP Margaret McCulloch, said: "We can't stand still on this. This isn't a lightweight report to be politely noted and then put on the shelf. There is a compelling case for change and it must be heard.

"Without a national prioritisation of the issue we feel that there can't be the large scale improvements that we need to see.

"As a committee we are so committed to ensuring that there is a response to what we see as a worsening situation that has a huge impact on so many members of our society that it's difficult to see how we can achieve better outcomes without the strategy."

Conservative MSP Annabel Goldie, who sits on the committee, said social isolation could have a "corrosively negative" impact on lives.

She said: "Social isolation is this century's new malaise, it is a contemporary disease. It is usually invisible, depressingly widespread and progressively debilitating. It is as prejudicial to health and wellbeing as many diagnosable clinical conditions.

"What I think the Scottish Government must explore is how we deploy a holistic approach. Maybe you don't want a national strategy, or a national advertising campaign, but I think we need a holistic approach to assist in finding solutions.

"Further steps are urgently needed to alleviate this devastating challenge but I detect in the chamber there will be a willing political consensus to support such initiatives."

In its response to the committee's report, the Scottish Government said a central strategy "might not have the impact expected".

Local government and community empowerment minister Marco Biagi said there was a "strong moral case" for tackling the issue but warned there could be "no quick fixes".

He said social connectedness would be an important part of the Scottish Government's forthcoming social justice action plan, while more research had been commissioned on how widespread isolation and loneliness is in Scotland.

Mr Biagi said the Government would also "work with others to consider what approaches we can use to raise awareness".

He said: "The time is right to take action here. This is a chance to make sure Scotland is different, to tap into the groundswell that's out there and through real concerted actions ensure that vulnerable, socially isolated people regardless of age will have the support they need to be connected to the services and communities around them."