How art helps prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes

A new international study commissioned by the Jameel Arts and Health Lab has found: participation in cultural and creative projects - from music to gardening - can prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases that now account for 74% of all preventable deaths worldwide.

"Our goal is not just to treat, but to prevent disease. The arts should be part of the prevention strategy," says Dr Jill Sonke, director of the University of Florida Center for Arts and Medicine and lead author of the study.

Together with Professor Michael Tan from the University of the Arts Singapore, the team analysed 95 research papers from 27 countries covering more than 230,000 participants. The results are published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The study is timed to coincide with next week's World Health Organisation (WHO) international meeting on the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

How does art affect health?

The authors conclude: art programmes are a scalable and inexpensive resource for public health, especially in prevention.

It's not about "art therapy" as a treatment, but about integrating creativity into everyday life - through:

• performances about healthy eating,

• dance classes,

• gardening together,

• traditional storytelling,

• cultural festivals.

These activities make health messages more comprehensible, emotional and engaging, and help to improve the uptake of information.

In addition, creative activities increase social inclusion, build the habit of physical activity and improve psycho-emotional well-being - all key factors in longevity.

"If we are serious about reducing the global burden of chronic disease, we must recognise the arts as part of the health infrastructure," emphasises Professor Nisha Sanjani of NYU Steinhardt, co-author of the study.

Participating in traditional dances, folk performances, cookery festivals or community gardens allows people to:

• adopt healthy habits,

• rebuild lifestyles through pleasure,

• improve mental health,

• participate in community life.

Art programmes are particularly effective in disease prevention in remote and culturally diverse communities where the classical medical model does not always work.