Arts Engagement Linked to Improved Health Outcomes, Research Shows

Recent scientific studies have examined how involvement in the arts affects health, with findings indicating links to mental and physical wellbeing.

Daisy Fancourt, a professor at University College London, has conducted research on how arts and cultural activities influence health, including effects on mental health, immunity, and age-related conditions. In January 2026, Fancourt published her first book for the general public, Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health, which compiles over a decade of research in this field.

The official launch of Art Cure took place at Somerset House on 8 January 2026, hosted by Creative Lives. The book highlights evidence that regular engagement with the arts is associated with reduced risk of depression, improved longevity, lower stress, better immune function, and cognitive resilience.

Fancourt’s research has included studies on the biological effects of artistic activities, such as changes in stress hormones, immune responses, and brain activity. Her work also covers the development of arts-based interventions, including community drumming for mental health, singing programs for postnatal depression, and choir initiatives for people affected by cancer, some of which have been commissioned within the NHS.

What the numbers show

• A 2019 study found monthly arts participation nearly halved depression risk
• Regular cultural activity linked to a 23% lower incidence of depression
• Older adults engaging in arts had lower mortality rates over long periods

Longitudinal studies have reported that individuals who participate in the arts at least once a month have a substantially lower risk of developing depression, independent of factors such as income, lifestyle, or genetics. Additional research has shown that older adults who take part in cultural activities, like visiting museums or attending concerts, experience lower mortality rates, even after accounting for baseline health and social factors.

Fancourt’s studies have also found that regular involvement in cultural activities is associated with higher self-esteem and fewer behavioral problems in children. These findings are supported by epidemiological data collected over several years.

As Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health, Fancourt has contributed to international reports on the use of arts-based interventions for chronic health conditions. In 2020, she and her colleagues authored a report for the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport summarizing evidence on the health benefits of arts engagement.

Fancourt’s research continues to inform the development of arts-based health interventions and contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of cultural participation in public health strategies.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.