Urban Health Plan and SocialRx Launch Social Prescribing Initiative to Expand Mental Health Support in New York City
Initiative connects patients to non-clinical, community-based interventions to support mental health and well-being
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, April 15, 2026 – Urban Health Plan (UHP), a nationally recognized Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and leader in community-based care, and SocialRx, the nation’s leading social prescribing platform, today announced a new partnership to expand access to social prescribing services for patients in New York City. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing whole-person care for underserved communities.
Rooted in UHP’s long-standing mission to deliver culturally competent, community-centered healthcare, the partnership will enable providers to connect patients to non-clinical, community-based experiences – such as arts and cultural activities – that support mental health, reduce social isolation, and improve overall well-being.
“Urban Health Plan has been at the forefront of social prescribing in New York City since 2023, believing that creativity, belonging, and cultural connection are as essential to well-being as any clinical intervention,” said Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Health Plan. “Our Arts Desk has been pioneering that work right here in the Bronx, prescribing arts and culture to our patients as a pathway to healing. Partnering with SocialRx allows us to bring that vision to scale, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing whole-person care for the patients and communities we serve.”
Through this collaboration, UHP care teams will refer eligible patients to SocialRx’s social prescribing platform, which facilitates personalized connections to local resources and provides ongoing care navigation to support engagement.
Urban Health Plan has long been a national model for integrating behavioral health, primary care, and community-based services. This initiative builds on that foundation by expanding access to innovative, person-centered approaches that address both the clinical and social drivers of health.
Social prescribing is an evidence-based model that complements traditional medical care by connecting individuals to enriching, non-clinical supports that promote resilience, belonging, and improved health outcomes.
“We are honored to partner with Urban Health Plan, an organization that has set the standard for community-driven care,” said Chris Appleton, CEO of SocialRx (formerly known as Art Pharmacy). “Together, we are expanding access to services that recognize the full context of people’s lives and support their mental and social wellbeing.”
SocialRx’s platform combines technology with human-centered care navigation to ensure patients are matched with experiences aligned to their needs and preferences, while enabling healthcare partners like UHP to integrate social prescribing into existing workflows.
This partnership reflects a broader commitment by UHP and SocialRx to advance innovative care models that improve access, equity, and health outcomes for diverse populations.
To learn more about Urban Health Plan, visit www.urbanhealthplan.org. To learn more about SocialRx, visit www.socialrx.com.
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About Urban Health Plan
Urban Health Plan is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center serving diverse communities across New York City. With a deep commitment to culturally competent, community-based care, UHP provides comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, and supportive services designed to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.
About SocialRx
SocialRx is a social prescribing company that partners with health systems, health plans, and community organizations to deliver non-clinical community-based solutions. Its scalable platform connects individuals to community-based experiences that support mental health and well-being, integrating technology, care navigation, and evidence-based approaches to improve outcomes.
