The Role of Social Prescribing Interventions in Addressing Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Social prescribing (SP), developed in the United Kingdom through general practice, has seen varied implementation worldwide, influenced by cultural, healthcare and political contexts. Among the various efforts to reduce health inequalities among individuals and groups, social prescribing has been proposed as a key intervention. Despite growing interest, there is a need for a critical examination of social prescribing’s role in addressing health inequalities.

Aim: This study aims to review the experiences of SP service users and service providers concerning the impact of SP on health inequalities in the United Kingdom. By synthesising existing evidence, it seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions and inform future research and policy directions.

Methods: A systematic search and narrative synthesis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases searched included Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, PsycArticles and PsycINFO, using keywords related to SP and inequalities.

Results: A total of 441 records were identified, with 20 papers meeting the inclusion criteria selected for analysis. The findings highlighted the positive role of SP in addressing the sociopsychological needs of patients and managing long-term conditions. Barriers included resource constraints, training limitations and accessibility challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitators emphasised the importance of the link worker/service user relationship, collaboration and integration.

Conclusion: SP is important in addressing health inequalities, particularly by targeting sociopsychological factors and managing long-term conditions. However, the complexity of these inequalities requires more tailored models and research. None of the studies examined SP within NHS National Health Inequalities framework such as Core20PLUS5. Future research should explore how SP interventions align with and contribute to national efforts to reduce health inequalities. Overcoming barriers such as resource limitations, training gaps and accessibility challenges, while strengthening link-worker relationships, is essential. Multisectoral collaboration and integrating SP into clinical practices are key to enhancing its impact.