The Social Prescribing-EU (SP-EU), Horizon Europe funded initiative is committed to advancing social prescribing (SP) to improve access to health and care services for vulnerable populations across Europe. Focusing on LGBTIQ individuals, refugees, first-generation immigrants, and older adults living alone, SP-EU seeks to co-create and evaluate tailored SP approaches that address the specific needs of these groups. By combining randomised controlled trials, qualitative research, and policy action, the initiative aims to set a new standard for inclusive, community-driven health and care solutions.
The project will run from the 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2029. It will officially launch in March 2025 when the project partners will convene to discuss the project’s goals, challenges, and vision.
What is social prescribing?
Social Prescribing (SP) is an innovative solution to bridging the gap between primary health care and non-clinical supports and services within the community. SP enables general practitioners who identify health-related social problems to refer patients to a so-called link worker. The link worker provides personalised support and helps these patients to access community resources by addressing any barriers that may exist.
SP is an approach to integrate health and social care and strengthen community orientation. SP thereby mitigates the effects of social determinants of health on health outcomes. However, SP has not been tailored to the needs of people in vulnerable situations yet and the effectiveness of SP to improve their access to health and care services remains unknown.
Who is involved?
The SP-EU initiative involves countries from across Europe, namely: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland including:
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
- concentris research management GmbH
- University of Plymouth
- Uniwersytet Medyczny im Piastow Slaskich we Wroclawiu
- Fundacio Institut Universitari Pera La Recerca A L’Atencio Primaria De Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina
- Institut Catala De La Salut (ICS)
- Universidade Nova De Lisboa
- Aalborg Universitet
- Bergische Universitaet Wuppertal
- The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford
- Universitaetsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Active Group GmbH
- Dom zdravlja Zagreb Zapad
- Universitaetsklinikum Freiburg
- Universiteit Gent
- National Academy of Social Prescribing
- Stichting WONCA Europe
- Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland e. V.
- Danish Society for Immigrant Health
- Universitaet Bern
- Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz Kanton Bern, Region Seeland - Berner Jura (SRK-Bern)
What is EuroHealthNet's role?
EuroHealthNet is responsible for developing and disseminating the policy implications of this project, as well as promoting SP-EU at the EU level. In collaboration with Bergische Universitaet Wuppertal (BUW) and other partners, EuroHealthNet will monitor EU mechanisms and consolidate the project's policy outcomes. These outcomes will be shared through policy briefs, factsheets, and other materials tailored for policymakers. Dissemination activities will include bilateral meetings, roundtables, workshops, consultations, and media engagement.
In addition, EuroHealthNet will work with local partners to organise eight national policy roundtables aimed at supporting Member States in advancing social prescribing. Each roundtable will be designed with specific objectives to address national priorities and challenges.
EuroHealthNet plays a pivotal role in the dissemination, communication, and exploitation efforts of the SP-EU project. Together with the National Academy of Social Prescribing (NASP) in the UK, EuroHealthNet’s responsibilities are key to ensuring the project’s visibility, effective communication with stakeholders, and maximising its long-term impact.
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