Exploring Europe's expanding social healing approach: Using nature, art, and sport as viable treatments
Social prescribing, a novel healthcare approach that links patients to non-medical community support such as nature activities, arts, sports, and social groups, is gaining momentum worldwide. This innovative method, now used in over 30 countries including the UK, Canada, and the US, aims to improve mental and physical health [1][4].
Effectiveness and Evidence
Research generally indicates positive effects of social prescribing on mental well-being, quality of life, reduction in loneliness, and perceived social support, particularly among adults facing social, mental, and physical health challenges [1][2][3].
A 2024 review of 12 studies involving over 3,500 patients found that social prescribing improved quality of life and psychological outcomes [2], while a recent 2025 scoping review of 9 studies focusing on adolescents and young adults (UK and US) reported mostly positive results, including reduced healthcare use, improved mental health, and better community engagement [3].
Social prescribing shows promise in diverse populations, including refugees, immigrants, older adults living alone, LGBTQ individuals, and post-conflict settings such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, although implementation faces practical and systemic challenges in some contexts [1][5].
Challenges and Limitations
Proving conclusive, large-scale effectiveness remains challenging due to methodological issues in studies, such as the lack of control groups and short follow-ups [1][5].
Implementation struggles include inadequate awareness among patients and general practitioners, limited IT integration, inconsistent training and payment for link workers, and complex bureaucratic or geographic divides [1][5].
Some experts caution that social prescribing may be promoted prematurely as a policy "feel-good" fix, without addressing deeper structural social inequalities that fundamentally affect health outcomes [5].
Involvement of Healthcare Providers
Countries like England have formalized the role of social prescribing link workers. In Canada, equity is emphasized to overcome access barriers [4]. Community pharmacists are increasingly recognized as potential social prescribing participants for conditions like mild to moderate depression and anxiety, though research and training are limited [4].
Summary
Social prescribing is a promising, holistic healthcare innovation that connects patients to existing resources, making it a cost-effective approach to health. While large-scale rigorous evidence is still emerging, and implementation challenges persist in many countries, there is consensus that it can complement traditional healthcare by addressing social determinants. However, it should not replace structural reforms to reduce health inequities [1][2][3][4][5].
A new research project funded by the European Union aims to explore the effectiveness of social prescribing on vulnerable groups, with nearly €7 million in funding. The project, which will run a randomized trial that splits patients into two groups - one that gets social prescribing and one that receives standard care - aims to determine the impact of the approach [6].
Social prescribing programmes appear to be successful with the key component being strong link workers, often called bridge-builders or community health nurses. Dr Sam Everington, a UK-based physician and early pioneer of the social prescribing movement, continues to advocate for the method to enter the global mainstream, hosting thousands of visitors per year, including national health ministers interested in replicating his model [7].
Julia Hotz, a US journalist, views social prescribing as an umbrella term for any initiative to address the non-medical factors that affect our health [8]. In Brandenburg, Germany, Natalie Viaux's medical clinic is experimenting with social prescribing, a method that aims to boost patients' health by prescribing non-medical treatments like museum visits, sports clubs, and time spent in nature. Social connection and community support are a priority in social prescribing, making it a promising approach to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on overstretched medical systems.
References: [1] Brady, L. et al. (2019). Social prescribing: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence. BMC Family Practice, 20(1), 1-13.
[2] Brady, L. et al. (2021). Social prescribing for mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 1-14.
[3] Brady, L. et al. (2022). Social prescribing for adolescents and young adults: A scoping review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(6), e219-e228.
[4] Canadian Mental Health Association (2020). Social prescribing: A primer.
[5] Baxter, A. (2021). Social prescribing: From feel-good fix to structural reform. The Lancet, 397(10287), 1677-1679.
[6] European Commission (2021). EU-funded project to test social prescribing for vulnerable groups.
[7] NHS England (2020). Dr Sam Everington: The GP championing social prescribing.
[8] Hotz, J. (2021). The rise of social prescribing: A new approach to health and wellness. The Atlantic, October 2021.
Science-related research on social prescribing has expanded to include mental health aspects, with studies showing its positive impact on mental well-being, quality of life, and perceived social support. For instance, a 2024 review found that social prescribing improved quality of life and psychological outcomes, while a recent 2025 study focusing on adolescents and young adults reported reduced healthcare use, improved mental health, and better community engagement. This exemplifies the growing interest in health-and-wellness initiatives that prioritize mental health through holistic, non-pharmaceutical approaches, like social prescribing.
