Arts, public health and the National Arts and Health Framework: a lexicon for health professionals

Following the implementation of the World Health Organization's Health for All strategy, the Arts and Health movement started to gain momentum in Australia as a means of improving public health, promoting social inclusion and reducing health inequalities. The field of arts and health is diverse and involves practice in many health areas, including health promotion, primary care, hospital care (acute and chronic), rehabilitation, and respite and aged care. A review of the literature suggests that recreational arts engagement (for enjoyment, entertainment or as a hobby, rather than therapy) has a positive impact on mental, social and physical wellbeing, and is a versatile means of improving health literacy, access and creating health benefits for the general population and vulnerable groups. Arts interventions in medical settings provide a range of positive clinical outcomes including better pain management, reduced medication use, decreased length of stay in hospital and reduced patient stress and anxiety.