"Medical professionals are now prescribing social activities, physical exercises, and arts participation as treatments"
In the realm of healthcare, a novel approach is gaining traction across the globe: social prescribing. This holistic, person-centered method connects individuals to non-clinical, community-based services and activities to address non-medical factors affecting health and improve overall physical and mental well-being.
A 76-year-old man named Frank Frost serves as a shining example of its impact. After spending over 30 years as a long-distance truck driver, Frank was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his 50s and was put on insulin injections. However, a turning point came when he met a doctor who asked him about his interests and prescribed him a 10-week cycling course called Pedal Ready. Frank, who hadn't been on a bike for almost 50 years, found new vigour in cycling and reported significant improvements in his health.
Social prescribing acknowledges the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social health. By addressing social determinants of health such as loneliness, financial insecurity, or social exclusion, it prevents illness and fosters well-being.
In the United Kingdom, social prescribing is widely implemented. Programmes like the Connected Communities project have shown significant benefits for stroke survivors, reducing isolation and improving confidence, mental outlook, and physical recovery. NHS England actively supports social prescribing, with link workers in general practice addressing social, emotional, and practical needs alongside medical care.
The United States is relatively earlier in adopting social prescribing but is gaining traction as a means to mitigate adverse social determinants of health and health inequities. Healthcare providers connect patients to community programs to improve outcomes, especially among older or vulnerable populations.
Beyond these two countries, social prescribing is being introduced in Bosnia and Herzegovina to combat loneliness and promote social participation. Australia is implementing initiatives aimed at promoting healthy aging and addressing loneliness among older adults.
The mechanism of social prescribing is straightforward. A healthcare professional identifies a person's non-medical needs. A link worker collaborates with the person to co-produce a social prescription—a referral to community services tailored to personal interests and needs. Activities might include arts groups, peer support, exercise classes, volunteering, or advice services. Follow-up ensures engagement and monitors outcomes.
Research shows social prescribing can reduce loneliness, enhance mental health, increase social participation, and improve self-reported wellbeing. It complements traditional medical treatments by addressing social factors that influence health outcomes.
In Canada, a report found nearly $300 million cost savings from lower hospitalizations, emergency calls, and ER visits due to fewer falls for older adults. In the U.S., a Georgia-based program, Art Pharmacy, reports that more than two-thirds of people participating saw improved mental health and a reduction in ER visits.
Social prescribing is not intended to replace pills or therapies, but to complement them. For instance, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield has partnered with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to connect high utilizers of the health system to arts and culture programs.
As we grapple with the global rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, adopting healthy habits through social prescribing could prove crucial. It's a promising approach that bridges the gap between clinical healthcare and social support, ultimately improving the health and well-being of individuals worldwide.
- Frank Frost, a senior citizen, experienced significant improvements in his health after being prescribed a cycling course as part of social prescribing, a method that connects individuals to community-based activities.
- Social prescribing in the UK has shown benefits for stroke survivors, reducing isolation, improving mental outlook, and aiding in physical recovery.
- The Connected Communities project in the UK, for example, has demonstrated such benefits, with NHS England actively supporting social prescribing.
- In the United States, social prescribing is gaining traction as a means to address adverse social determinants of health and health inequities.
- The Bosnian and Australian healthcare systems are also adopting social prescribing to combat loneliness and promote social participation.
- A social prescription is a tailored referral to community services based on a person's interests and needs, co-produced by a link worker and the individual.
- The Art Pharmacy program in the US reports that more than two-thirds of its participants have seen improved mental health and a reduction in ER visits.
- In Canada, cost savings of nearly $300 million have been found due to fewer hospitalizations, emergency calls, and ER visits for older adults as a result of social prescribing.
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield in the US has partnered with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to connect high utilizers of the health system to arts and culture programs, demonstrating how social prescribing can complement traditional medical treatments.
