This factsheet offers evidence on why to use arts and culture to build a healthier Australia, it provides internationally recognised proven strategies for improving health and wellbeing and discusses opportunities to improve health outcomes through investment in arts and culture in Australia.
Even before Covid-19, Australia was facing numerous significant healthcare concerns, including an aging population, increasing incidence of dementia, and declines in social cohesion – all leading to a range of negative health outcomes. Australia has strong policies about using arts and culture to influence the social determinants of health — that is, the conditions in which we grow, live, work and age, including how strong our social networks are, lifestyle factors, and psychological states. However, these policies are often not being systematically implemented. For all these reasons, it is critical that Australia takes a systematic and strategic approach to developing a strong, rich cultural life that enhances the health and wellbeing of our nation.

A New Approach. (2020). Health and wellbeing: Transformative impacts of arts, culture and creativity. [Factsheet 4]. Canberra: Australian Academy of the Humanities.