WED-110 - Introduction to Arts Participation as a Health Behavior in Public Health

Brief Abstract Summary: This session aims to provide attendees with a general understanding of arts participation as a health behavior, emphasizing its evidence-based benefits and the necessity of integrating it into public health practice. Attendees will learn about the health benefits of arts engagement based on research and explore advocacy strategies for the inclusion of arts-based approaches in health education. By recognizing and promoting arts participation as a health behavior, public health professionals can enhance their efforts to address health disparities, foster social connectedness, and improve overall wellbeing in the populations they serve.

Detailed abstract description: Arts participation, often regarded as solely a recreational activity, is increasingly recognized as a health behavior with significant implications for public health. Defined as engagement in various forms of creative expression—such as visual arts, music, theater, dance, and poetry—arts participation has been shown to positively affect overall health and wellbeing. This session will explore the emerging role of arts engagement as a vital component of public health, focusing on the growing body of evidence-based research and ongoing advocacy efforts to integrate the arts into health promotion frameworks.

Research has highlighted the broad range of health benefits associated with arts participation. Engaging in the arts can reduce health risks, decrease stress, enhance emotional regulation, and improve cognitive functioning. It also promotes social cohesion and reduces feelings of isolation, factors that contribute to mental health resilience. In clinical settings, creative arts therapies are increasingly used to support patients with chronic conditions, contributing to improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life.

From a public health perspective, the arts can play a crucial role in health promotion and disease prevention. Initiatives integrating the arts into health programs have been particularly effective in under-resourced communities, where access to traditional healthcare services may be limited. Arts-based initiatives provide an accessible platform for health education, fostering engagement through culturally relevant and creative means. Such initiatives not only convey health messages but also empower communities to take ownership of their health, making the arts a powerful tool for health equity. I will present research examples from my involvement with the Center for Arts in Medicine.

Advocacy efforts have gained momentum in recognizing arts participation as a legitimate health behavior within health policy. As a consultant for CA for the Arts, I developed initiatives that included educational resources, advocacy strategies, and a proposal for a statewide arts on prescription pilot program. To generate awareness, I produced a webinar series that featured panelists who are leading the way on topics such as research, strategies for innovative funding and partnerships, workforce development, and advocacy and public policy. Additional educational resources include a guide to arts and health and curating programming for their 2025 Arts & Culture Summit and Arts Advocacy Day.

Strategies for advocacy include organizing a hearing in legislation that will include healthcare workers, artists, researchers, and public health lobbyists. A policy brief will also be developed with recommendations for lawmakers along with a field engagement guide for individuals. Work is currently being done on exploring partnership opportunities with health providers and community-based arts and culture organizations to offer art-based activities.