The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Lancet have joined forces to shed light on the transformative concept of social prescribing in a groundbreaking series dedicated to the Western Pacific region. This initiative aims to revolutionize healthcare by empowering communities and addressing the social determinants of health. The series, available at https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/social-prescribing, showcases how community-based approaches can significantly enhance health and well-being across the region.
Social prescribing, as explained by WHO, is a powerful strategy that connects individuals to non-clinical community services, such as social activities, exercise groups, and peer support. By doing so, it addresses social determinants of health, combats loneliness, and strengthens social connections, ultimately promoting healthy aging. While social prescribing has gained momentum in Europe and North America, the series emphasizes the importance of bridging the evidence gap by incorporating insights from Asian contexts, including Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Dr. Mikiko Kanda, Healthy Ageing unit lead at the WHO in the Western Pacific Region, highlights the significance of this collaboration, stating, 'This collaboration with The Lancet helps bring regional experience to the global conversation on social prescribing.' It provides countries with tailored approaches that respect local cultures, systems, and community strengths, ensuring contextually appropriate solutions for healthy aging.
The WHO has been at the forefront of social prescribing since 2020, becoming the first WHO unit to formally introduce it to Member States. They have developed essential resources, such as the WHO Social Prescribing Toolkit and a dedicated WHO Academy course, to support global knowledge-building. This commitment to collaboration is further exemplified by The Lancet's previous special issue on healthy aging and their partnership with WHO, featuring contributions from renowned institutions like SingHealth Community Hospitals in Singapore and Kyoto University School of Public Health in Japan.
As populations age and social disconnection becomes more prevalent, the interest in social prescribing is growing across the region. Countries like Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are embracing this approach, while Australia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore are in the process of implementing it. The WHO Commission on Social Connection's report further emphasizes the promise of social prescribing in addressing social isolation and loneliness.
However, the series also underscores the need for additional evidence to inform policies and programs effectively. WHO encourages Member States and academic partners to engage in research and contribute to the global knowledge base. By providing ongoing technical support, WHO aims to ensure that these programs are customized to each country's unique cultural and structural needs, ultimately fostering resilient and age-friendly societies.
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Equity, based at Kyoto University School of Public Health, is set to host an international conference on social prescribing on May 27-28, 2026. This conference will further explore the potential of social prescribing and its impact on healthy aging. For more information, visit https://ispc2026.symposium-hp.jp/ and stay tuned for updates.
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