US Social Prescribing Program Map
At Social Prescribing USA, we recognize that social prescribing and its core elements have existed for centuries. Aligned with the universal definition (Muhl et al., 2023), our mapping initiative focuses on programs connecting healthcare and social sectors through referrals to meaningful activities (“occupations”), beginning with those initiated by health professionals. While we cannot map every site where community-based activities occur, we highlight programs that facilitate these connections. We acknowledge that social prescribing does not require clinical involvement, though our current focus begins with this pathway.
Please also note: The map is intended to visualize cities and hubs of social prescribing in the United States; for more details on specific programs, especially in areas with multiple programs, please explore the information listed by location underneath the map.
Overview
Eligibility Criteria
If you meet these criteria and do not yet see yourself on the map, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will be in touch shortly.
Your organization is located and provides services in the United States.
A health professional or trusted identifier refers clients to meaningful activities in the community such as arts, nature, service, movement, and social connection, either directly or via a connector.
Your organization identifies a need for a participant by assessment (i.e., conversation, survey, etc.) and uses a referral system (may not be called social prescribing specifically)
If using an identifier/connector, your organization has designated staff (i.e., link worker, care navigator, case manager, etc.) who utilize motivational interviewing or other behavior coaching and collaborate with participants to co-produce a personalized social prescription
Your organization’s program supports participants to access community resources by addressing any barriers that exist (i.e., transportation, cost, etc.)
Monitoring and evaluation are conducted to measure outcomes and are shared with the identifier.
Quick Links
Nationwide
Dance for PD
Founded in 2001 at the Mark Morris Dance Group, Dance for PD offers free, specialized dance classes to individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers. Dance for PD now operates with over 400 partners in 30 countries.
Walk with a Doc
Launched in 2005 by cardiologist David Sabgir, Walk with a Doc offers free walking programs in communities around the world led by local doctors, healthcare providers, or medical students. Walks include free health education in addition to community building and movement.
PALS: Community Providers & Local Students
Now-complete pilot project, based in Texas, to reduce social isolation and loneliness in underserved nursing homes and to develop intergenerational connections between students and older people.
CultureRx (Boston, MA)
An initiative from Mass Cultural Council focused on integrating arts, culture, and nature into healthcare throughout Massachussets
Article (Mass Audubon)
Journal article (Frontiers in Public Health)
Northeast
Come Alive Outside (Rutland County, VT)
Partnership with Rutland Regional Medical Center to launch cohorts of health coaching and outdoor group activities.
Community Music School of Springfield (Springfield, MA)
Designated partner of CultureRx to provide free music services to those receiving a social prescription from their healthcare provider.
Community Access to the Arts (Stockbridge, MA)
Nonprofit providing arts workshops to people of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Rx for Connection @ Clark Art Institute (Williamstown, MA)
Partnership between the Clark Art Institute and a network of mental health professionals in Williamstown.
Mass Audubon Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries (Lenox, MA)
Activities for children and families facing financial and other challenges. Participants are referred by clinics and school-based healthcare professionals.
Community Music Center (Boston, MA)
Designed to serve elementary students diagnosed with behavioral mental health conditions. Referred by mental health professionals working at the South End Community Health Center.
Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge, MA)
Funded by Mass Cultural Council’s CultureRx, partnership with healthcare providers and schools to connect children and families with the museum.
Zoo New England (Boston, MA)
Free family memberships to Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham for children who have ben diagnosed as overweight or obese.
Mid-Atlantic
Isolation to Connection (New York Metro Area, NY)
Placement of ‘connection specialists’ in Jewish Community Centers (JCC) across Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties to work with adults over 60 struggling with loneliness and isolation.
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Researchers at Temple University’s College of Public Health, including Yaara Zisman-Ilani, study applications of social prescribing to medical fields like psychiatry.
Article (JAMA Psychiatry)
Urban Health Plan (Bronx, NY)
Social prescribing program led by a community health center in the Bronx. Developed through One Nation/One Project initiative and with local arts organizations.
St. Mary’s Health Hub (Lexington Park, MD)
Digital platform of community-based interventions for residents of LexingtonPark, Maryland.
Center for Arts in Health @ MetroHealth (Cleveland, OH)
Center for Arts in Health has a mission to embed visual, performing and therapeutic arts throughout Cleveland's MetroHealth system; includes partnerships with the Cleveland Orchestra.
Midwest
Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH)
Social prescribing pilot led by Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, Section Chief of Center for Geriatric Medicine.
Speak Up About Drugs (Bentonville, AR)
Integration of social prescribing into efforts to deter addiction and aid recovery in at-risk youth and their parents. Host of a cycling program to help participants stay sober.
Southeast
Center for Arts in Medicine @ University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Leading institution that, in addition to offering research and degree programs in arts/medicine integration, partnered with the VA to launch a social prescribing pilot in Florida
EpiArts Lab @ University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
National Endowment for the Arts Research lab that explores the impact of arts and cultural engagement on population health outcomes in the US through epidemiological analyses of US cohort studies.
Be Happy Rx by TrueHealth (Orlando, FL)
Initiative hosted by a federally qualified health center, designed to serve patients of all ages and mental health conditions.
Website
Operation: Art of Valor (Gainesville, FL)
Partnership between James Haley VA Center and Morean Center for the Arts to provide a creative outlet for active-duty military and veterans in the community.
Higher Ground (Harlan County, KY)
This community arts organization works with insurance providers to make the case for social prescribing.
IMPROVment (Winston-Salem, NC)
An Arts on Prescription pilot program in Winston-Salem, NC, where geriatricians prescribe tailored arts and movement experiences to patients, funded by the local arts council.
UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine (Gainesville, FL)
Nonprofit, hospital-based arts in health organization serving inpatients and outpatients of UF Health. Designed to support Florida residents living with healthcare needs related to chronic and life-limiting illness.
Arts on Prescription (Dallas, TX)
Planned case study in partnership with Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and the City of Dallas Parks & Recreation Department.
Southwest
Project Connection (West Valley City, UT)
Integration of social prescribing into mental health and therapy services.
West
Open Source Wellness (Oakland, CA)
Coaching groups (typically 8-16 weeks in duration) for health behavior changes, run in partnership with community health centers and other equity-focused healthcare organizations. Operates on a 'Community as Medicine' (CAM) model.
Healthy Parks, Healthy People (San Francisco, CA)
Piloting of nature social prescribing programs in nine bay-area counties.
Kids & Art Foundation (Burlingame, CA)
California-based nonprofit that supports pediatric patients with cancer and critical illnesses through art and creativity.
Global Brain Health Institute @ UCSF (San Francisco, CA)
Research institution focused on leadership of science, art and policy to improve dementia care and advance brain health; research pilots of dance programs for older adults.
Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
First pilot of university-wide social prescribing in the US, in partnership with Art Pharmacy. Now overseen by the University’s Office of the VP of the Arts.
Project Enhance (Seattle, WA)
Sound Generations’ Project Enhance offers two evidence-based programs—Enhance®Fitness, a group exercise and falls prevention program for older adults, and Enhance®Wellness, a one-on-one health coaching program to improve overall well-being.
Don’t see yourself on the map?
Questions about inclusion/eligibility criteria? Email ivory@socialprescribingusa.com