Researchers have created a new guideline aimed at integrating the arts into health and wellness systems around the world. This guide spans various aspects, including population health, prevention measures, community initiatives, and clinical care. It is based on extensive international research and has been published in the Jameel Arts & Health Lab–Lancet Global Collection on Arts and Health.
Among the contributors to this important work is Professor Agustín Ibáñez from the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin. He worked alongside a diverse group of researchers, healthcare professionals, and leaders in the arts and culture sectors.
The first paper in this collection highlights how involvement in music, dance, visual arts, theater, and other cultural activities can significantly enhance mental, physical, and social well-being throughout a person’s life. The authors emphasize that the arts should not be viewed as an extra but as essential for health promotion and illness management.
The second paper focuses on putting research into practice. It advocates for equal access to arts programs, their integration into public health strategies, improved community support, evidence-based arts activities in healthcare settings, and ongoing investment and research in this area.
Professor Ibáñez expressed that this moment is pivotal for medicine. He stated that for the first time, arts and cultural activities are being included within a global health framework that covers everything from health promotion to treatment.
The collection also argues that engaging with the arts should be regarded as a vital behavior for enhancing health, similar to exercise, diet, and sleep. However, it stresses that any implementation must reflect the specific cultural contexts of local communities.
“Understanding health involves looking at biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors,” highlighted Professor Ibáñez. “Arts and culture play a crucial role in this interplay. Our next step is to create the necessary evidence, policies, and health systems that acknowledge this significance.”
### Global Presentation at the UN General Assembly
This collection will be introduced at the Healing Arts event during the United Nations General Assembly week in New York. The research symposium, titled “The Jameel Arts & Health Lab–Lancet Global Collection on Arts and Health,” is set for September 22, 2026, from 1:30 to 5:30 PM (US Eastern) at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
The event is part of the Healing Arts initiative running from September 19 to 26, 2026, and will gather researchers, artists, health professionals, and policymakers to discuss the impact of creativity and culture on building healthier communities.
