SINGAPORE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE IN
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHO CC)
for Social Prescribing
SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) has been appointed a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Social Prescribing effective 14 November. As a Collaborating Centre, SCH will focus on three key areas, particularly capacity building, collaboration, and research.
Being the first WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Prescribing in the world, the Collaborating Centre is geared to advance social prescribing practices globally in three key areas:
1. Capacity building: To enhance awareness, knowledge and best practices in social prescribing through workshops and training, thereby equipping stakeholders who are interested in starting social prescribing in their settings.
2. Collaboration: To develop and update training content in social prescribing that can be used regionally and internationally for different audience groups, including practitioners and policymakers.
3. Research: To conduct studies to strengthen evidence sharing amongst stakeholders, support informed policy decisions and programme evaluations, and contribute to regional and global evidence building for the impact of social prescribing.
At the Asia Pacific Social Prescribing Conference, Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung underscored the critical role of social and environmental influences on health and highlighted the importance of addressing the social determinants of health and affirmed the role of social prescribing as a key pillar in Singapore’s national preventive health strategy, Healthier SG.
Supporting healthy ageing and going beyond the healthcare sector, collaboration with National Arts Council aims to enhance the well-being of seniors, while also contributing to global conversations on the positive impact of the arts on health and wellness.
Capacity Building
As a WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Prescribing, we are committed to advancing workforce development and training to strengthen the delivery of person-centred, community-based care. Through structured learning pathways, we build capabilities across healthcare and community sectors to support the integration of social prescribing into routine practice. Our programmes equip practitioners with the skills to assess social needs, navigate community resources, and co-create personalised care plans, ensuring individuals receive support that addresses both clinical and non-clinical determinants of health.
Collaboration
Collaboration lies at the heart of social prescribing. We work closely with international and local partners including agencies, community organisations, and academic institutions to promote cross-sectoral approaches that improve health and well-being. As a WHO Collaborating Centre, we serve as a regional hub to share best practices, co-develop frameworks, and facilitate peer learning across diverse settings. Together, we are building an ecosystem where health systems and communities work hand in hand to address the social determinants of health.
Research
Our centre supports the global evidence base for social prescribing through research, evaluation, and knowledge exchange. We lead and contribute to studies that examine the effectiveness, implementation, and scalability of social prescribing models across different populations and contexts. In partnership with WHO and academic collaborators, we translate insights into actionable guidance and tools to support policy and practice. By contributing to global dialogue, we aim to shape data-driven strategies that inform sustainable, equitable health systems worldwide.