Social Prescribing USA is the hub for the advancement of the U.S. social prescribing movement. We keep you up to date with the latest research in social prescribing, provide support for organizations pioneering the movement in the U.S., provide connections for those interested in becoming involved, establish social prescribing policy, and obtain and direct funding for its advancement.
Social prescribing utilizes the arts, nature, volunteerism, and local community organizations as medicine for patients of all ages. Social prescribing considers social health as important to a patient’s well-being as physical and mental health, and is a key tool to address the loneliness epidemic and the social determinants of health. It is founded on the principles of health equity. The use of our community resources as medicine is one of the next big ideas in health care in the U.S., as it is in more than 30 countries around the World.
What is Social Prescribing
In social prescribing practice, health professionals ‘prescribe’ their primary care patients to connect with a trained worker who assesses the patients and asks, ‘What matters to you?’ Together, they make a plan, and the worker provides individualized connections to local services, community-based organizations, and local community groups. These referrals can also happen from the community itself.
community
for better health
Imagine a future where doctors prescribe more than just drugs. That future is here.
What is Social Prescribing Video, U.K. 2 minutes
Freedom from stress, access to essentials and engagement in social and physical activity are all essential to health. In countries like the UK, physicians can heal holistically through Social Prescribing. Our purpose is to formalize and spread the same practice in the United States. Our priorities are:
Curious? We’ve compiled the latest media, research, and resources on the Social Prescribing movement. Whether you’re looking to take charge of your health or integrate a new program in your practice, you can start here.
We plan to work with local, regional, and national government agencies to build social prescribing into larger systems.
Join a community of implementers – academics, healthcare workers, nonprofit leaders and technologists at the front lines of social wellness working towards patient-centered care. Monthly social prescribing virtual events are a space to learn, connect, and share ideas. If you’re interested in bringing social prescribing to your practice, campus or neighborhood, we’d love to hear from you!
We will work to help build social prescribing into healthcare systems and medical education and training.
We have started to bring the 9 sectors of social prescribing together so we can move this work forward in the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system.
"Social prescribing provides meaning and hope to lives without either. It is the most powerful medicine that we have when it comes to producing a sustainable difference in a person’s health and wellbeing."
Dr. Michael Dixon, Personal Physician to King Charles
