The 67th report of the Health Evidence Network (November 2019) focused on the evidence for the role of Arts in improving health and well-being.
This is the most comprehensive literature review of Arts and Health to date. The report looks across a broad spectrum of arts including performing arts, visual arts, design and craft, literature, culture and online/digital arts. It focuses on results of meta-analyses, meta-syntheses and meta-ethnographies, as well as including reference to some individual studies of relevance.
The report found a substantial body of evidence on the health benefits of the arts within two keys themes: (i) Prevention and Promotion and (ii) Management and Treatment, and included a vast array of health conditions encompassing mental and physical, chronic and acute.
The full report can be found here: Health Evidence Network Synthesis report 67
The World Health Organisation factsheet can be found here: What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?