A New Approach to Healthcare: Social Prescribing in Action
When patients walk into Natalie Viaux’s medical clinic in Brandenburg, a city west of Berlin, she doesn’t immediately check their blood pressure or review their medical history. Instead, she focuses on understanding their lives, challenges, and available resources. This unique approach is part of a growing trend known as social prescribing, which aims to improve health by addressing non-medical factors that impact well-being.
Social prescribing involves doctors identifying patients who may be facing social issues—such as loneliness, financial struggles, housing instability, or relationship problems—and referring them to "link workers" like Viaux. These link workers work directly with patients to create personalized plans that address the root causes of their health challenges. The goal is not just to treat symptoms but to empower individuals to take control of their health through community engagement, social support, and access to resources.
“It's valuable, all the modern medicine and what it does, yet with humans, some things can be rather simple,” Viaux said. She emphasized that while medical treatments are essential, addressing social and emotional needs can have a profound impact on overall health.
This approach has gained traction globally, with over 30 countries now experimenting with social prescribing. In Europe, 22 health centers across eight countries—including Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain—are participating in a research project aimed at evaluating how effective this method is for specific vulnerable groups such as refugees, immigrants, older adults living alone, and LGBTQ individuals.
Beyond Traditional Support Services
Many existing programs already address the social determinants of health, such as referrals to social or legal services, “food as medicine” initiatives, or unconditional cash transfers. However, social prescribing introduces innovative ideas like prescription pottery classes, community gardening, or museum visits. These activities go beyond traditional support systems and focus on building connections and fostering a sense of purpose.
Julia Hotz, a U.S. journalist who explored social prescribing efforts worldwide for her book The Connection Cure, believes that both material and social aspects are crucial. She argues that while access to nature or cultural activities can be beneficial, they won’t make a significant difference if someone is struggling with unemployment, financial instability, or poor nutrition.
Hotz also highlighted the importance of recognizing individual needs, saying, “It’s not about what we think matters most, but what matters to each person.” She noted that the most successful social prescribing programs understand this nuance and tailor their approaches accordingly.
The Role of Link Workers
Link workers, often referred to as bridge-builders or community health nurses, play a critical role in making social prescribing effective. They act as liaisons between patients and local resources, helping individuals navigate complex systems and find meaningful ways to engage with their communities.
Natalie Viaux, for example, initially worked with a list of services provided by doctors, such as the Red Cross or migration support. However, she brought her own ideas, including local clubs, sports leagues, and art opportunities. Her approach proved transformative, offering more than just basic social support—it addressed deeper issues related to health and well-being.
Dr. Benjamin Senst, a physician at the Brandenburg clinic, described Viaux’s methods as “eye-opening.” He explained that her approach went beyond traditional structures and helped patients tackle underlying health issues. For instance, instead of simply advising an older woman with mental health and obesity issues to exercise more, Viaux found a water-based program that aligned with her comfort level and helped her overcome bureaucratic hurdles to obtain a new wheelchair.
Building Evidence and Overcoming Challenges
Despite the promising results, proving the effectiveness of social prescribing remains a challenge. Researchers often question whether the observed benefits are due to the intervention itself or other factors. Julia Hotz acknowledged this difficulty, noting that social prescribing often brings intangible benefits such as increased confidence, reduced isolation, and healthier behaviors.
However, it’s important to recognize that social prescribing isn’t a cure-all. As one research team pointed out, these programs aren’t a quick fix for systemic issues like inequality or social exclusion. That’s why a major EU-funded project is currently conducting a randomized trial to assess the impact of social prescribing on vulnerable populations.
Dr. Wolfram Herrmann, leading the project at Charité University Hospital in Berlin, emphasized the need to determine whether the approach truly delivers positive outcomes. The goal is to influence health policy decisions across Europe by providing solid evidence of its effectiveness.
A Growing Movement
Despite the challenges, advocates like Dr. Sam Everington continue to push for the global adoption of social prescribing. His London clinic runs over 100 social prescribing projects and attracts national health ministers interested in replicating his model. Everington believes that the best way to understand the value of social prescribing is to experience it firsthand.
“We have a cure for a hell of a lot of disease and illness, and it's called social prescribing,” he said. “This is the magic medicine that we've been looking for.”