Social Prescribing’s Global Momentum – What New Evidence from England Tells Us About the Future
Social prescribing continues to gain recognition as a transformative approach to healthcare one that addresses not just clinical symptoms, but the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape our wellbeing.
New research published in The Lancet Public Health underscores just how significant this shift has become. An analysis of patient records from over 1,700 general practices across England reveals that social prescribing has scaled at a pace few could have predicted, with important implications for policy, practice, and international collaboration.
A Striking Rise in Social Prescribing Referrals
Between 2019 and 2023:
- 9.4 million GP consultations included social prescribing codes
- 5.5 million consultations resulted directly in social prescribing referrals
- 1.3 million referrals were made in 2023 alone—far above the NHS’s original five-year target of 900,000 Study lead Dr Feifei Bu from University College London described the acceleration as “striking”, noting that even experts were surprised by how quickly referrals have grown.
Growing Reach—But Persistent Inequities
The study highlights areas of progress:
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Increasing representation from more deprived communities (from 23% in 2017 to 42% in 2023)
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Declining refusal rates (from 22% to 12%)
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Broadened engagement across age and ethnic groups But inequities remain. Two groups continue to be consistently underrepresented:
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Men
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People living in rural areas These gaps suggest the need for tailored outreach, culturally relevant activities, and diversified models of delivery to ensure no community is left behind.
A Global Opportunity
For the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, these findings reinforce what countries around the world are already witnessing: social prescribing works, and when implemented thoughtfully, it can drive better health outcomes, reduce pressure on health systems, and strengthen community resilience.
As Professor Azeem Majeed notes, growth in referrals is only one part of the story. What matters most is impact—improved wellbeing, reduced loneliness, enhanced access to community support, and meaningful reductions in demand for clinical services.
With nations from Singapore to Canada, Portugal to Australia now embedding or piloting social prescribing models, the opportunity for global learning has never been greater.
“The scale and pace of social prescribing’s growth in England is a powerful signal to the world: communities thrive when health systems look beyond the clinic and support what truly matters to people. As countries increasingly recognise the value of social prescribing, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance is uniquely positioned to connect governments, innovators, and community leaders to accelerate this movement internationally. Together, we can ensure equitable access, share evidence, and unlock the economic and social benefits of prevention, resilience, and community-led care.” — *Gareth Presch, CEO, Global Social Prescribing Alliance *
What Comes Next
The research team is now tracking the long-term outcomes of social prescribing, including wellbeing improvements and changes in healthcare usage. This evidence will be essential in guiding investment, scaling programmes, and ensuring cost-effectiveness, especially at a time when health systems face growing financial pressure.
Globally, social prescribing continues to move from an innovative idea to a mainstream component of integrated care. Through cross-sector partnerships, international learning, and national-level leadership, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance is committed to supporting countries to implement social prescribing models that are effective, equitable, and sustainable.
Find out more: www.whis.world/gspa