Dr. John Naslund Joins Future Panel at Global Social Prescribing Summit 2026
July 17, 2026 | World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS)
The Global Social Prescribing Summit 2026, hosted by the World Health Innovation Summit, is delighted to announce that John A. Naslund will join the Future Panel, bringing global expertise at the intersection of mental health, innovation, and equitable care.
Dr. Naslund is Co-Director of the Mental Health for All Lab and a Senior Research Scientist in Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on expanding access to evidence-based mental health care globally, particularly in low-resource settings, with a strong emphasis on implementation science and digital innovation.
Across his career, Dr. Naslund has led pioneering research into how digital tools can train and support frontline providers, strengthen peer support networks, and improve outcomes for people living with severe mental illness. His work spans the United States and India, including collaboration with Sangath, a globally recognised leader in community-based mental health.
With more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and support from leading institutions including the National Institute of Mental Health and the Wellcome Trust, Dr. Naslund’s work is helping to redefine how mental health services can be delivered at scale—accessible, community-driven, and grounded in dignity and human rights.
His participation in the Future Panel will explore how social prescribing, digital innovation, and community-based care models can converge to transform global mental health systems—an increasingly urgent priority as health systems worldwide face rising demand and workforce constraints.
Leadership Perspective
Gareth Presch, CEO & Founder of the World Health Innovation Summit and CEO of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. John Naslund to the Future Panel at the Global Social Prescribing Summit 2026. His work represents the kind of innovation and global thinking we need to scale social prescribing and mental health solutions worldwide. Bringing together leaders like John is critical to shaping a future where care is more accessible, community-driven, and impactful.”
Looking Ahead
The Future Panel at the Global Social Prescribing Summit 2026 will convene international leaders, researchers, and practitioners to explore the next frontier of preventative, personalised, and community-based care.
Dr. Naslund’s contribution will be central to advancing the conversation on how evidence, innovation, and social prescribing can be integrated to deliver meaningful, scalable impact across diverse health systems.
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