Social Prescribing Moves to the Mainstream – What the New Lancet Study Means for the World
Social prescribing is no longer on the margins — it’s rapidly becoming central to how we deliver health and wellbeing support.
A new nationwide study published in The Lancet Public Health (covering 1.2 million patients across 1,736 GP practices in England between 2019–2023) shows just how far we’ve come:
- ✅ 9.4 million GP consultations involved social prescribing codes by the end of 2023.
- ✅ 5.5 million consultations specifically led to referrals.
- ✅ 1.3 million patients were referred in 2023 alone — far above NHS England’s target of 900k by 2023–24.
- ✅ Patients from deprived areas rose from 23% (2017) to 42% (2023).
- ✅ Refusal rates fell from 22% in 2019 to 12% in 2023.
- ✅ Women and ethnic minority groups were more likely to take up social prescribing compared to men and White patients.
Why this matters
The study confirms what many of us in the global movement have seen: social prescribing is delivering impact at scale. It is reaching millions — especially in deprived communities — and reducing barriers to support.
But it also highlights important lessons: disparities remain. Age, sex, and ethnicity still shape who accepts or refuses services. To achieve equity, we need targeted strategies that adapt to different populations and contexts.
From England to the world
England’s experience is a blueprint for other nations. Scaling social prescribing requires:
- National frameworks that embed it into primary care and community health.
- Investment in link workers, training, and digital infrastructure to ensure sustainability.
- Global collaboration to share best practice and accelerate adoption (Norway launches National Social Prescribing Group).
How the Global Social Prescribing Alliance can help
The Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA) was created to ensure countries don’t start from scratch. We provide a shared playbook, policy guidance, and an international network of leaders who are building the future of health together.
“This study demonstrates that social prescribing is no longer an idea on the periphery — it is transforming health systems at scale. The challenge now is to ensure every nation has the frameworks, partnerships, and support to embed it. At the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, we are ready to help countries take this next step and create thriving communities worldwide.” — Gareth Presch, CEO, Global Social Prescribing Alliance
Our mission is simple: support nations to scale social prescribing so communities everywhere can thrive.
🌍 Explore resources and join the movement:[ https://whis.world/gspa 📖 Read the full Lancet article: The Lancet Public Health