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Litt JS, Coll-Planas L, Sachs AL, Masó Aguado M, Howarth M. Current Trends and Future Directions in Urban Social Prescribing. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:383-393. [PMID: 38087048 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00419-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Social prescribing (SP) is defined as a non-medical community referral program to support well-being and health. This review explores the current evidence about the effectiveness of SP. RECENT FINDINGS This review examined existing SP models that have been or are being tested to connect people to these opportunities through direct and indirect referral schemes. The review identified a fifth model that facilitates a group-based approach used to mental well-being and resilience. While the development of SP largely originates from the UK, the global interest in SP has increased, with over 31 nations reporting elements of SP. The main goal of SP is to better integrate care between the traditional medical setting and resources available in the community and voluntary sectors. Although this review found widespread optimism around SP, there remain concerns about its effectiveness and demands for high-quality evaluations to strengthen the evidence base for SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Litt
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader, 88 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain.
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - L Coll-Planas
- Research Group On Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcomes of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Carrer de La Sagrada Família, 7 Vic, 08500, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain
| | - A L Sachs
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader, 88 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Masó Aguado
- Research Group On Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcomes of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Carrer de La Sagrada Família, 7 Vic, 08500, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain
| | - M Howarth
- Edgehill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP, Lancashire, UK
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