The Global Social Prescribing Alliance is now the world’s leading international body advancing social prescribing across more than 30 countries.
Social prescribing connects people to non-medical support in their communities — such as exercise groups, arts programmes, volunteering, education opportunities, and nature-based activities — recognising that health is shaped not only by medical care but by social, economic and environmental factors.
Research supported by the World Health Organization shows that social prescribing can:
• Improve mental health and wellbeing • Reduce loneliness and social isolation • Reduce pressure on primary care and emergency services • Strengthen community resilience
However, social prescribing is not only improving health outcomes — it is also creating a new global workforce and economic opportunity.
According to the International Labour Organization, the global care economy could generate nearly 300 million new jobs by 2035, particularly in health, social care, and community-based services.
Within this emerging ecosystem, new professional roles are rapidly developing, including:
• Social prescribing link workers • Community health workers • Wellbeing coordinators • Digital health specialists • Population health analysts • Prevention and lifestyle medicine practitioners
The United Kingdom has become a global leader in demonstrating how social prescribing can be implemented at scale.
Through the NHS England Long Term Plan, over 3,500 social prescribing link workers have been introduced across primary care networks in England, connecting patients to community support services.
These professionals help individuals access practical and social support that addresses the wider determinants of health, including: • Loneliness and social isolation • Physical inactivity • Financial stress • Housing challenges • Mental health and wellbeing
This investment represents one of the largest national implementations of prevention-focused community health roles anywhere in the world.
As part of personalised care, the UK government has committed over £4 billion to expand social prescribing, personalised care programmes, and community health roles — making it one of the largest national investments in prevention-focused healthcare globally.
However, the UK programme is only the beginning.
Countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Commonwealth are now exploring how social prescribing can support health system sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience.
At the same time, universities are beginning to introduce new programmes in population health, community health innovation, and social prescribing, helping prepare the next generation of prevention-focused health professionals.
Digital health infrastructure is also accelerating this transformation. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that global digital health investment could exceed $900 billion by 2030, supporting AI-enabled care pathways, remote monitoring, and community-based health platforms.
To support this global growth, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance is developing key strategic resources including:
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Artificial Intelligence in Digital Health and Social Prescribing* (2026)*
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Global Social Prescribing Workforce Development & Opportunities* (2026)*
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Prevention as an Investable Asset Class **- **Building Health, Wealth, and Sustainable Systems (2026)
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Global Social Prescribing Alliance Student Movement Playbook 2026 These resources are designed to help governments, health systems, universities, and communities scale social prescribing safely, sustainably, and economically.
As Gareth Presch, Founder of the World Health Innovation Summit and CEO of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, explains:
“Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their own health while creating new jobs, new skills, and new economic opportunities in communities around the world. The UK has demonstrated what is possible the next step is scaling this globally.”
The World Health Innovation Summit provides a platform bringing together governments, clinicians, innovators, investors, and communities to explore how prevention and social prescribing can transform health systems and unlock new economic opportunities.
As healthcare systems shift toward prevention, social prescribing will play a central role in building healthier societies, stronger economies, and more connected communities.