Creative health and public health

Studies of creative health approaches in public health show:

• Weekly dance sessions for primary-age children in underserved areas contributed to improved children’s behaviour in the home, increased social networks for families, and enabled families to better meet children’s emotional needs [1]
• Creative projects that improve a community's sense of agency and control have been shown to improve community wellbeing [2]
• Place-based creative events and interventions have been shown to add social value through a range of wellbeing measures and offer the potential to reduce health inequalities through the development of social capital and a sense of community [3]
• Engagement with culture and heritage leads to general health benefits worth £992 per adult per year [4]

Image Credit: Kelly McLaughlin, Through My Eyes Photography © Bringing Joy to the Streets, East Marsh United

The National Centre for Creative Health

NCCH supports health and care sector professionals in organisations and systems to achieve the benefits of creative health approaches for patients and service users.

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Downloadable information

Download this information sheet in PDF format