Austria pilots Social Prescribing to combat Loneliness and improve health

Brigitte Lagler and other linkworkers in Austria are connecting patients with social activities to combat loneliness and improve general well-being.

These specialists work within primary care centers, such as the Sonnwendviertel center, to help people rebuild social networks and find daily structure. The initiative treats loneliness as a health issue, recognizing that social isolation contributes to physical and mental illnesses. The project operates under the social prescribing model, which views health through a biopsychosocial lens.

Instead of just treating medical symptoms, linkworkers refer patients to non-medical activities like cooking classes, exercise groups, and neighborhood initiatives. This approach aims to reduce the burden on doctors and therapists, as many patients seek help for emotional and psychosocial concerns rather than acute medical crises. Lagler guides patients through a series of five appointments to identify their personal goals and motivations. She helps diverse groups, including young people facing cyber-bullying and elderly residents who feel isolated from their families.

For some patients, this support helps them return to work or find new hobbies, such as an elderly woman who started dancing with a hula hoop. The project is currently funded until 2028, and organizers hope to establish a way to bill these services directly within medical practices to ensure long-term funding.