In Toscana i dottori potranno prescrivere le visite culturali Il progetto di "prescrizione sociale" riscrive le regole della cura medica

For the first time, family doctors and cultural institutions will work together to care for citizens. Social prescribing is a project launched by the Tuscany Region and Unicoop to combat loneliness, depression, and social isolation through cultural participation: theaters, museums, and cinemas will be transformed into a therapeutic tool to support psychological well-being.

But can culture really become an effective tool for preventing depression and anxiety? An increasing number of studies suggest it can: according to several scientific experts speaking at a conference in Biella last May, art and culture reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. In addition, new research from University College London found that people who take part in cultural or artistic activities at least once a week experience a 4% slowdown in the aging process.

This week, the Region and Unicoop are finalizing partnerships and operational details for the project, while also encouraging doctors to prescribe cultural activities to their patients. According to preliminary trials, social prescribing could prove successful from the outset: in Sesto Fiorentino, some physicians recommended organized walks, while in Lucca pediatricians encouraged attendance at theaters and other cultural venues among young teenagers; both initiatives made a tangible contribution to the well-being of the patient groups involved.

The main goal of the organizations behind the project is to build a cohesive network of activities across the region: not only theaters, cinemas, and museums, but also libraries, reading groups, and other related spaces. To support the initiative, tickets for some of these activities may be free of charge, according to several Tuscan news outlets, or offered at reduced prices to encourage public participation. The pilot phase of Tuscany’s social prescribing program is scheduled to begin in October in a limited area of the region, before being expanded across the entire territory.