Culture: medicine for health

In Canada, doctors prescribe free visits to museums. In Finland every patient who goes in the hospital is offered a cultural program.

Italy is also adapting. Approaching art and culture ennobles the soul. According to a WHO report that collects 3000 studies in 900 publications, art, culture and exposure to beauty have a positive impact on longevity and physical and mental health.

This is confirmed by Professor Enzo Grossi, lecturer of culture and health at the University of Turin – Faculty of Medicine, “Whoever has intense cultural participation with 80 job opportunities a year earns 10 to 15 years of life and is protected from Alzheimer’s and cancer of degenerative diseases. There is a great possibility of help in areas where there are no drugs, such as autism and Alzheimer’s where art therapy is important “.

The WHO study is the largest ever one on the topic: “What is the evidence of the role of the arts in improving health and well-being”. The report, presented at Helsinky in November 2019, is available in Italian thanks to the Cultural Welfare Center in collaboration with the DORs-Documentation Center for Health Promotion and the Medicine for Women Foundation.

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