Social Prescribing USA Blog

Welcome to our new Social Prescribing USA Blog!

Underneath our first blog, ‘Welcome’, is a list of some of the topics for our blog. We would love your comments and suggestions.

Welcome

This post intends to be a landing pad to welcome people to the community. You should leave thinking … ah I get what social prescribing is and I think I can do this!!

You did it!

You are here.

And, you are not alone.

Dozens of leaders like you are working to transform their communities with social prescribing.

This blog series outlines the steps to create a social prescribing program from scratch. The series was shaped by conversations with 20 aspiring US implementers over the last year and leaders in the UK who have scaled social prescribing nationally.

You, like them, are likely inspired by the potential of social prescribing to create health and wellbeing. We welcome you on this journey with open arms, whether you are a healthcare veteran, a passionate leader of a community-based organization, an educator, a student, or someone who simply wants to improve the lives of folks in your community.

Read and watch this media to fully understand and visualize the potential of social prescribing:

• Video: 2 minute Concept summary

• Video: 10 minute Social prescribing in the wild

• Article: What is social prescribing?

• Article: What makes it unique in US Healthcare?

We need new solutions to address our physical and mental health, inequity, addiction, and loneliness. Most of us know someone whose life has unraveled from these challenges. Our work on social prescribing can thus feel very personal, intimate, and deeply purposeful. Many of us pursue this work as our own social prescription. It gives us purpose. It brings us to a community of collaborators.

You aren’t alone. We have an incredible community of leaders in the US and internationally who are driving this work forward. The group includes leaders at Cleveland Clinic, Harvard, the National Institute of Health, city parks departments, state arts councils, city officials, journalists, professors, researchers, community organizers, justice advocates, and more. We are all united in our efforts to create a healthier tomorrow and support your efforts.

I would love to welcome you into the community. Feel free to set up an intro call with me here.

Dan Morse,

Founding Director of Social Prescribing USA

Next Post: Envision Your Social Prescribing Approach

Checklist for setting up a social prescription pilot (blog posts)

1. Welcome (today)

2. Envision your approach (today)

3. Find a co-partner or system advocate

4. Engage Stakeholders

5. Find your list of social prescription

6. Setting Up Your Program

   1. Delivery Setting

   2. Workforce

   3. Referral Pathway

   4. Funding & Sustainability

   5. Tracking Technology

7. Recurring Meetings with Stakeholders

We welcome your comments!