Social isolation and loneliness are finding their foothold in clinical practice. While social isolation is an objective measure of a person’s interaction with society, loneliness is subjective and reflects how a person feels about themself. Social connections are correlated with severity of disease and having strong social connections has been shown to reduce the risk of death from any cause.

The happiness quotient in our life influences our overall wellbeing, our susceptibility to disease, and how well we respond to treatment. This recognition has led to the growth of the social prescription movement, with the expectation that enriching social connections can counter isolation and loneliness and positively impact wellbeing.

Pilot Programs and Global Playbook

How can community organizations that provide a plethora of support services to their constituents  use this information? The World Health Organization has developed a toolkit to guide healthcare workers to connect patients to community-based non-clinical services that can support health and wellness. This global movement may look different in different parts of the world, but is built on the premise to provide holistic care by integrating community partners and resources within the process.

The sky is the ceiling for services that can be prescribed – from tailored food and housing assistance to arts and cultural activities – social prescribing can expand healthcare “from within the walls of a hospital out into the communities,” writes David Andersson from Bloomberg Philanthropies. And there is evidence to support this. Research by the EpiArts Lab at the University of Florida found:

• 20% lower odds of depression among along with improved memory and life satisfaction among older adults who are creatively engaged
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• Improved daily functioning and overall fitness among older adults who were engaged in leisure activities such as hobbies, arts and culture, exercise, social/community groups, etc

Making these resources accessible to the wider community is key, with cross-pollination of resources essential for success. Pilot programs that are underway include:

• CultureRx: Launched in 2020 by Mass Cultural Council, their mission is to use cultural experiences as a protective factor in health and wellbeing
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• They recently launched an arts-based social prescribing program in collaboration with Mass General Brigham and Art pharmacy
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• Arts & well-being: This partnership between a performing arts center and an insurance company in New Jersey provides health plan enrollees prescription-based access to arts and performances
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• Health Opportunities Pilots: This Medicaid program in North Carolina is focused on social factors such as housing, food, and transportation access for enrollees. Referrals can be provided by clinicians, community organizations, or self

Is your organization a part of this movement? Do you have any success stories? What are some challenges you faced? Share your experience with us.