What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? Summary (2019)

Why arts and health?

Arts interventions, such as singing in a choir to improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are considered non-invasive, low-risk treatment options and are increasingly being used by Member States to supplement more traditional biomedical treatments.

The Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report on arts and health maps the global academic literature on this subject in both English and Russian. It references over 900 publications, including 200 reviews, covering over 3000 further studies. As such, the report represents the most comprehensive evidence review of arts and health to date.