Research

The LEAPS project is organised into three interconnected work packages

From evidence to actionLEAPS connects research, policy, and practice to build inclusive social prescribing systems across Southeast Asia.

Understanding evidence useHow is evidence used in policymaking around SP?What global models of evaluation and implementation exist?

Adapting SP for Southeast AsiaHow can UK/global evidence be made relevant to SEA contexts?What are the barriers, enablers, and cultural considerations?

Community of practiceBringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakerTraining, toolkits, co-design workshops, and policy dialogues

The LEAPS project is organised into three interconnected work packages

From Evidence to ActionLEAPS connects research, policy, and practice to build inclusive social prescribing systems across Southeast Asia.

Understanding Evidence UseHow is evidence used in policymaking around SP?What global models of evaluation and implementation exist?

Adapting SP for Southeast AsiaHow can UK/global evidence be made relevant to SEA contexts?What are the barriers, enablers, and cultural considerations?

Community of PracticeBringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakerTraining, toolkits, co-design workshops, and policy dialogues

About LEAPSLeveraging social prescribing evidence in policymaking: learning, application, and sustainability (LEAPS) is a multi-country research programme exploring how social prescribing can be localised and co-developed for use in Southeast Asian health systems and communities.

We aim to understand

Policy & evidence

Understanding global evidenceHow evidence has shaped SP policy in high-income countries

Localisation & co-development

Adapting for local contextsHow that evidence can be adapted for Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia

Sustainability & inclusion

Building sustainable modelsHow to build sustainable, inclusive models of SP based on local strengths

What we've found so farThese insights are being refined as data collection continues:

Early Foundations(2006–2010)

Community prevention, wider determinants & "wellbeing prescriptions"

Pre-Formalisation(2014–2017)

Building blocks of SP via new care models & voluntary-sector partnerships

Formalisation(2018–2020)

SP becomes a national NHS service

Expansion, Integration & Diversification(2020–2023)

SP as a multi-sector, multi-modal public health tool

Cambodia

Guided by five national policies, the initiative focuses on community empowerment, NCD prevention, ageing, mental health, and primary care. Launched as a pilot in 2022 by RUPP researchers with WHO support, it targets older adults and mental health, with 2024–2025 evidence showing improvements in loneliness, access to services, and wellbeing

Indonesia

Guided by Indonesia’s Law No. 17 of 2023, the approach emphasises community empowerment and multi-sectoral collaboration, with grassroots initiatives and nationalprogrammes such as puskesmas, posyandu, and kader which are aligned around non clinical referrals, social connectedness, and holistic wellbeing

Malaysia

Guided by seven national policies, the approach prioritises active living, prevention of NCDs, cancer and mental health conditions, and elderly care, with informal alignmen