Fancourt & Finn - What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. ISBN789289054553
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of global evidence concerning the arts' influence on enhancing health and well-being, focusing on the WHO European Region. Examining over 3000 studies highlights the significant role that the arts play in preventing illness, promoting health, and managing and treating health issues throughout a person's life.
The reviewed evidence encompasses various study designs, including uncontrolled pilot studies, case studies, small-scale cross-sectional surveys, nationally representative longitudinal cohort studies, community-wide ethnographies, and randomized controlled trials from diverse disciplines.
The report suggests several vital actions to maximize the positive impact of the arts on health and well-being: acknowledging and acting upon the growing evidence base, advocating for increased arts engagement at the individual, local, and national levels, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations. These steps can collectively contribute to harnessing the potential of the arts to enhance people's well-being and improve their overall quality of life.
Fancourt & Finn “What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review”