Arts Engagement as a Strategy to Prevent Major Non-Communicable Diseases

Recent international research highlights the significant role of arts programs in public health, specifically in reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases that are responsible for approximately 74% of preventable deaths worldwide. The comprehensive study, conducted by the Jameel Arts and Health Lab and published in Nature Medicine, reviewed nearly 100 projects from 27 countries involving over 230,000 participants.

The findings suggest that engaging in creative activities such as music, dance, theater, storytelling, and community-based cultural projects can serve as powerful health promotion tools. Jill Sonke, Ph.D., from the University of Florida, emphasized that prevention should be a primary goal alongside treatment. Arts programs can foster healthy behaviors by making health messages more relatable, memorable, and engaging. These activities often strengthen social bonds, promote physical activity, and encourage healthy eating, thereby addressing multiple health risks simultaneously.

Furthermore, culturally relevant arts initiatives, like traditional dance or community gardening, improve accessibility and participation. While most studies to date have been concentrated in high-income countries, the research underscores the potential of arts interventions to be scaled globally, especially when embedded within community health strategies.

The study advocates for policymakers and health systems to recognize arts as a crucial component of public health infrastructure. By integrating arts-based activities into health promotion efforts, communities can create cost-effective, inclusive, and sustainable methods for disease prevention, ultimately aiming to shift healthcare from a treatment-focused approach to a preventive one.