Purpose of review: Social prescribing (SP) is defined as a non-medical community referral program to support well-being and health. This review explores the current evidence about the effectiveness of SP.
Recent findings: This review examined existing SP models that have been or are being tested to connect people to these opportunities through direct and indirect referral schemes. The review identified a fifth model that facilitates a group-based approach used to mental well-being and resilience. While the development of SP largely originates from the UK, the global interest in SP has increased, with over 31 nations reporting elements of SP. The main goal of SP is to better integrate care between the traditional medical setting and resources available in the community and voluntary sectors. Although this review found widespread optimism around SP, there remain concerns about its effectiveness and demands for high-quality evaluations to strengthen the evidence base for SP.
Keywords: Community referrals; Loneliness; Mental health; Social determinants of health; Social interventions; Well-being.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.