Reasoning & Evidence
Adopting social prescribing across healthcare and community-based settings supports addressing social determinants of health while strengthening well-being and social connection. As a person-centered, non-clinical intervention model, social prescribing enables clinicians and community providers to identify non-medical needs–such as loneliness, stress, and barriers to access and participation–and connect individuals to community resources that support holistic health. Evidence indicates that social prescribing programs are associated with improvements in mental health and well-being, better patient experiences, and system-level efficiencies.(74,129) Integrating arts prescribing within social prescribing models can further strengthen these outcomes by connecting individuals to creative experiences that support meaning-making, enjoyment, and social participation. Emerging evidence associates arts prescribing initiatives with increased engagement with care, enhanced well-being, and increased access to pathways for social connection and cultural participation.(129–130) U.S. pilot programs demonstrate that arts prescriptions are feasible within healthcare systems and valued by both providers and participants, while offering scalable models to expand care options beyond traditional clinical interventions.(130) Studies examining cultural referrals within social prescribing models in the U.K. further indicate that participation in museum and arts programs can reduce loneliness and strengthen social connection through shared experiences and community belonging.(131–132)
Growing evidence highlights the clinical relevance of creative arts therapies (CATs) across healthcare settings in supporting psychosocial well-being and quality of life.(137) Embedding CATs in social prescribing can help ensure that individuals with complex mental health needs can be referred to licensed therapeutic services and supports a continuum of care linking community engagement with evidence-based mental health treatment.(129,138) Effective implementation requires structured referral pathways and cross-sector collaboration to ensure individuals can access and sustain participation in prescribed activities. This includes clearly defined roles for referrers, link workers or care navigators, and community-based providers. Successful models include screening protocols to identify social-emotional needs, care navigators to coordinate referrals and follow-up, and partnerships with community organizations for accessible and inclusive referral networks.(133–134) Co-located programming within healthcare settings and co-development through strong community partnerships can further reduce barriers to participation and support continuity of engagement.(135–136) In addition, sustainable financing mechanisms, data-sharing infrastructure, and evaluation frameworks are critical to scaling and maintaining social prescribing initiatives over time.
Examples of Community Implementation
USA: SocialRx operates as a national social prescribing platform that connects individuals to personalized, community-based arts, nature, movement, and other social connection activities. SocialRx delivers social prescriptions through formal referral pathways among healthcare providers, universities, managed care organizations, and community organizations. SocialRx Care Navigators receive referrals and match individuals to personalized community-based activities aligned with their health goals, interests, and access needs, while maintaining ongoing support and communication throughout the social prescription (typically 12 months). Activities offered span a broad range of community-based engagements, including arts and cultural programs, nature-based activities, movement and physical activity, group learning experiences, and more, demonstrating how communities can support referral networks that integrate arts participation into care.
New York, USA: Urban Health Plan, in New York, illustrates a health system implementation model in which arts participation is integrated directly within a community health center network. In partnership with local organizations, healthcare providers across the South Bronx connect patients with arts activities including music, dance, theater, and culinary arts workshops.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Arts, Culture, and Leisure Sectors