The health economics of social prescribing
Systematic review of the international evidence
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22089345 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mary Lynch (0000-0001-6887-3447, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, corresponding author), Aoife Joan Keating (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), Elizabeth Morrow (0000-0003-0649-629X, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), Llinos Haf Spencer (0000-0002-7075-8015, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pages | 1753435-1753435 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-28 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1753435 |
| PMID | 41684396 |
| OpenAlex | W7125936183 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 45 |
Background Social prescribing is an approach to improving health and wellbeing that links individuals to community-based supports, such as arts programs, physical activity initiatives, financial or housing advice, volunteering opportunities, and social groups. Although evidence supporting its effects on physical, functional, and mental health outcomes is expanding, no systematic review of the international evidence has yet assessed the health economics of social prescribing. Aim To systematically review evidence on the health economic methods and tools that have been used to evaluate social prescribing initiatives internationally. Methods A systematic search of seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Trials, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Ovid Global Health) was conducted alongside gray literature and citation searching. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts using Covidence, with disagreements resolved with a third researcher. Data extraction followed a structured protocol, and thematic analysis informed a narrative synthesis of findings. Results Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria: 5 randomized controlled trials, one quasi-experimental study, and 12 mixed-methods studies. Interventions reflected four main categories: exercise-based or loneliness-prevention initiatives ( n = 10), coaching programs ( n = 3), nature-based interventions ( n = 3), and dance or movement-based programs ( n = 2). Use of standard economic methods and tools was limited. Social Return on Investment analyses reported positive returns for interventions targeting mental health and loneliness. Conclusion Robust economic evidence on social prescribing remains limited. Despite the availability of established health economic methods and tools, these are rarely applied to social prescribing, limiting the usefulness of existing studies for healthcare planning and commissioning
Economic evaluation · Health care · Health economics · Limiting · MEDLINE · Public health · Social determinants of health · Systematic review · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Urban Green Space and Health · Health Policy
Social prescribing
The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for randomized controlled trials
The well-built clinical question
The PRISMA 2020 statement
Developing and evaluating complex interventions
Does social prescribing address social determinants of health
Global developments in social prescribing
A comparison of social prescribing approaches across twelve high-income countries
Enhancing student wellbeing through nature-based social prescribing
Social Return on Investment of Nature-Based Activities for Adults with Mental Wellbeing Challenges
Social Return on Investment Analysis of the Health Precinct Community Hub for Chronic Conditions
A Social Return on Investment Evaluation of the Pilot Social Prescribing EmotionMind Dynamic Coaching Programme to Improve Mental Wellbeing and Self-Confidence
Prospects and Aspirations for Workforce Training and Education in Social Prescribing
Health Economics-Informed Social Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis of a Nature-Based Social Prescribing Craft and Horticulture Programme for Mental Health and Well-Being
Social Return on Investment of Social Prescribing via a Diabetes Technician for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Progression
Contextual Factors and Programme Theories Associated with Implementing Blue Prescription Programmes
What approaches to social prescribing work, for whom, and in what circumstances? A realist review
Effectiveness of social prescribing for chronic disease prevention in adults
Nature based social prescribing for enhancing mental health and well-being
Impact of social prescribing to address loneliness
The roles of motivational interviewing and self‐efficacy on outcomes and cost‐effectiveness of a community‐based exercise intervention for inactive middle‐older aged adults
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |