Global developments in social prescribing

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Social prescribing links individuals with non-clinical services to address social needs like loneliness and mental health.
• It empowers individuals to manage their health and promotes integrated care beyond the biomedical model.
• The practice, originating in the UK, has gained international prominence over the last decade.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the conceptualization and implementation of social prescribing across 17 countries.
• To identify essential inputs for adopting social prescribing into policy and practice using the 'Beyond the Building Blocks' framework.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of social prescribing conceptualization and implementation.
• Application of the 'Beyond the Building Blocks' framework to identify key inputs.
• Cross-country comparison across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.

Main Results:

• Social prescribing models vary internationally but share common elements.
• Essential inputs identified include service delivery, social determinants, workforce, leadership, financing, community partnerships, technology, and accountability.
• Cross-cutting lessons offer guidance for tailoring models to local needs.

Conclusions:

• Social prescribing is a valuable approach for enhancing health and well-being by addressing social needs.
• The 'Beyond the Building Blocks' framework provides a comprehensive guide for implementing social prescribing.
• International collaboration and tailored approaches are crucial for maximizing the impact of social prescribing.