Social Prescribing: Outcomes, Mechanisms, and Implementation Barriers

Nabirye Amina Okwir

Faculty of Business and Management Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                                              ABSTRACT
Social prescribing has emerged as an innovative, person-centred approach to addressing the social determinants of health by linking individuals to non-clinical community resources. This paper examines the conceptual foundations, mechanisms, outcomes, and implementation challenges associated with social prescribing. It traces the evolution of the approach from welfare-oriented frameworks to its contemporary integration within health systems, particularly in primary care settings. The analysis highlights the multidimensional mechanisms through which social prescribing influences health, including behavioural change, social engagement, resource navigation, and psychological empowerment. Evidence on outcomes suggests potential benefits in physical health, mental well-being, and reduced healthcare utilization; however, findings remain mixed and are often constrained by methodological limitations and variability in intervention design. The paper further explores key implementation barriers, including funding constraints, workforce capacity, service fragmentation, and measurement challenges, alongside the critical role of link workers and community partnerships. An equity lens underscores the importance of ensuring access for vulnerable and underserved populations while addressing structural determinants of health. The study concludes that while social prescribing holds promise for improving health outcomes and promoting health equity, its effectiveness depends on robust evaluation frameworks, sustainable funding, integrated care models, and context-sensitive implementation strategies.

Keywords: Social prescribing, Social determinants of health, Health equity, Community-based interventions and Healthcare utilization.

CITE AS: Nabirye Amina Okwir (2026). Social Prescribing: Outcomes, Mechanisms, and Implementation Barriers. Research Output Journal of Education 6(1):25-35.
https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJE/2026/612535