The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 100; no. 2; pp. 254 - 263
• Main Authors: Stuckey, Heather L, Nobel, Jeremy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Am Public Health Assoc 01.02.2010; American Public Health Association
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Alternative medicine; Art education; Art therapy; Arts; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease - therapy; Chronic illnesses; Disease; Exercise Movement Techniques; Framing Health Matters; Health education; Health Promotion; Health psychology; Humanities; Humans; Intervention; Literature reviews; Medical sciences; Mental health; Miscellaneous; Music; Music therapy; Physiology; Psychology; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Rehabilitation - methods; Research methodology; Schizophrenia; Sensory Art Therapies - methods; Studies; Visual arts; Writing; Human; Art; Treatment; Healing agent; Cicatrization; Bibliographic review; Public health
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.156497

This review explores the relationship between engagement with the creative arts and health outcomes, specifically the health effects of music engagement, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing. Although there is evidence that art-based interventions are effective in reducing adverse physiological and psychological outcomes, the extent to which these interventions enhance health status is largely unknown. Our hope is to establish a foundation for continued investigation into this subject and to generate further interest in researching the complexities of engagement with the arts and health.