New report by UCL researchers links participating in arts and culture to longer, healthier lives
The report summarises our work using cohort study data to explore the impact of the arts on population health.
Since 2017, we have published over 70 academic papers linking arts and culture engagement to people’s health and wellbeing at a population level. Today, we are pleased to be releasing a new summary report from this work, revealing new insights into how peoples’ arts activity is linked to longevity and health outcomes across different life stages, including:
- more positive health and social behaviours in children and young people
- better mental health in adulthood
- lower risks of depression and dementia in later life
- lower levels of chronic pain and frailty, and even a longer life.
Our findings have come from the team’s analysis of data from cohort studies, which track the activities and health of large numbers of people throughout their lives. The techniques we have used have also enabled us to show that this positive relationship holds even when factors such as demographics, socio-economic position, and other health conditions are taken into account.
Read full report here
