Social Prescribing: New Opportunities for Prevention and Public Health

The rising burden of chronic diseases and the related increasing costs associated with healthcare are pushing healthcare systems to rethink their strategies for care and prevention . In 2021, global health expenditure reached 10.3% of the world’s GDP – equivalent to $9.8 trillion – underscoring the urgent need for innovative and economically sustainable approaches.

Contextually, Social Prescribing is emerging as a promising solution, gaining international recognition as a tool for disease prevention and health promotion. This approach enables healthcare professionals to refer patients to non-clinical interventions – such as exercise activities, support groups, arts initiatives, or volunteering opportunities – that have been shown to enhance quality of life, reduce social isolation, and mitigate economic pressures on healthcare systems by addressing the social determinants of health in a cost-efficient manner.

The global landscape of Social Prescribing

As awareness grows around the impact of social determinants of health, social prescribing has expanded to over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia, and Northern America. This global diffusion has sparked a surge in research: to date, nearly 350 distinct indicators have been examined in relation to social prescribing, ranging from mental health outcomes, lifestyles and health behaviors to metrics associated with healthcare spending and system efficiency.

The evolution of social prescribing in the United States is particularly noteworthy. An analysis of 23 U.S.-based programs revealed several promising features: the ability to connect people to a wide range of community-based activities to foster their wellness (e.g., cultural, artistic, and nature-based programs), the flexibility to reach diverse target populations (from university students to entire families), and the implementation of initiatives supported by varied fundings.

Based on emerging evidence, four key strategies areas have been identified as critical for successful development and scaling of social prescribing:

1. Financial sustainability: Ensuring long-term economic viability is essential for maximizing the impact of social prescribing both over time and at a large scale. This requires the design of programs that support continuity and adaptability in response to evolving community needs.


2. Partnership: Strengthening collaboration among a wide range of stakeholder – including policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, community workers, and patients – is vital to building an integrated and responsive support network.


3. Accessibility and Equity: Promoting inclusive and accessible programs is crucial to avoid the risk of social prescribing being effective only in communities with larger resources, thereby unintentionally excluding those who may benefit most.


4. Specialized Training: Investing in training and the development of specialized skills is fundamental to creating a qualified workforce for bridging healthcare systems and community.

The AMIS Project

Aligned with social prescribing evolution, Wellness Foundation has launched the AMIS project – Activities and Movement Together for Health – a community-based initiative in collaboration with the Municipality of Milano and supported by Fondazione di Comunità Milano. Implemented across four neighborhood centers in Milan, the project aims to promote healthy aging among older adults (over 65) through structured physical activity programs, socialization activities, and education on healthy lifestyles. This project serves as a concrete model of an initiative that, based on scientific evidence regarding the importance of social determinants of health for older adults and leveraging local community resources, could inspire future social prescribing activities in the Italian context as well.

Future steps

Social prescribing represents a promising frontier for enhancing public health and prevention approaches, serving as a bridge between healthcare system and communities. International lessons learned and evidence highlight three key challenges for future development of social prescribing: the design of standardized and replicable models, the definition of stable and sustainable funding sources, and the establishment of efficient local network to provide integrated and person-centered care.

Source:
The Lancet Public Health, 2025