research
Topic: Arts and Social Development: Health and Healing
Increasingly, the arts are being integrated into a variety of health care settings. Across the country, arts programming is serving patients, health care professionals, and larger communities. In patient care, the arts are providing unique therapeutic benefits and promoting holistic treatment. Artistic outlets for healthcare professionals are fostering positive working conditions and opening new lines of communication. In a community setting, the arts are promoting public health, for example, by aiding in recovery after traumatic experiences or raising awareness of public health issues.
More than 2,500 hospitals are now using arts programming, according to a survey conducted in collaboration with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare and with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
Good information on the arts and healing can be found from The Society for the Arts in Healthcare, Healing and the Arts at the C. Everett Koop Institute, and the International Arts-Medicine Association.


