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Abstract

The U.S. healthcare system is confronting at least three converging crises: a rapidly aging population with complex needs, rising prevalence of mental illness, and an epidemic of social isolation that contributes substantially to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Current clinical approaches cannot meet demand due to persistent workforce shortages, limited treatment capacity, and variable patient adherence. Social prescribing (SP), which systematically connects patients from healthcare settings to community-based non-clinical supports, including social, cultural, physical activity, and nature-based programs, has been developed in over 30 countries and is emerging in the United States as a promising adjunct to clinical care. This paper synthesizes epidemiologic, economic, and implementation evidence to examine the role of SP in addressing these strains on domestic healthcare infrastructure. Drawing on data from a national survey of SP movement leaders ahead of the 2025 U.S. SP Leadership Summit, we identify key barriers and opportunities across patients, clinicians, community partners, and health systems. Major challenges include limited awareness, fragmented referral pathways, measurement deficits, and a complex multi-payer environment. Despite these barriers, substantial opportunities exist to align SP with U.S. public health priorities, including mental health prevention, health equity, social drivers of health, lifestyle medicine, and value-based care. We argue that SP represents a low-risk and high-value strategy to improve wellbeing and reduce healthcare burden by formally recognizing the importance of social connection to health outcomes. Strategic investment in policy frameworks, sustainable financing, workforce development, technology, and research is essential to supporting system-wide adoption of SP in the United States.