A groundbreaking study reveals that engaging in arts programs can significantly help prevent heart disease, diabetes and other leading causes of death. Researchers highlight how creative activities boost health and strengthen public health systems.
Arts programs are more than just a medium for creativity; they can also be instrumental in preventing some of the world’s most significant health threats. According to a recent international study commissioned by the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, engaging in activities like music, dance, theater and storytelling can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases that account for 74% of preventable deaths globally.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, analyzed nearly 100 research projects from 27 countries, involving over 230,000 participants. This comprehensive review demonstrates how arts programs can serve as cost-effective and scalable tools for health promotion and disease prevention.
“We don’t want to just treat these diseases, we want to prevent them,” lead author Jill Sonke, the director of research initiatives in the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida and an affiliated researcher with the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, said in a news release. “We would love to see funding and interventions move upstream from treatment toward prevention, and the arts should be part of that prevention strategy, because they really can help.”
The study’s timing is significant as it was released just a week before an international meeting convened by the World Health Organization dedicated to the prevention of non-communicable diseases. This research adds an important dimension to global health strategies, emphasizing the arts as an essential resource for public health.
Michael Tan, dean of research and knowledge exchange at the University of the Arts Singapore, co-led the project alongside Sonke.
Their findings showcase how arts-based programs can enhance public health by making health messages more engaging, memorable and culturally relevant. Examples include community plays that promote healthy eating, dance groups that encourage physical activity, and gardening projects that build social connections.
“If we are serious about reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases, we must treat the arts as essential to public health infrastructure,” added co-author Nisha Sajnani, a professor at NYU Steinhardt and co-director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab. “Arts and cultural activities provide cost-effective and scalable tools for prevention that, when embedded in health promotion and grounded in community partnership, can expand access, close equity gaps and strengthen the uptake of healthy behaviors.”
One of the key takeaways from the study is the potential of arts programs to foster lasting health behavior changes. Traditional health campaigns often struggle to maintain long-term engagement. However, integrating health education with enjoyable, creative experiences can significantly increase participation and retention rates.
Moreover, the research highlights the importance of cultural relevance in these programs. Initiatives that incorporate local traditions, such as community gardening or cultural dance, are more likely to succeed in promoting health behaviors and ensuring wide participation.
While the study underscores the promising role of arts in public health, the researchers acknowledge the need for further exploration, particularly in diverse settings. Most current studies are concentrated in high-income countries, and long-term health outcomes remain underexplored.
Overall, this study suggests that integrating arts into health strategies could revolutionize how we approach disease prevention, making it an indispensable part of the public health toolkit.
Source: University of Florida