Arts for health in community settings

Use of the arts as a means to educate the public, foster social engagement and change, and influence the behaviours of targeted populations has a long history. New research in the arts and health is demonstrating that incorporation of the arts into health promotion programmes offers the potential to enhance health behaviours and outcomes. This chapter considers arts and health programme models in community settings, highlighting promising practices for using the arts to enhance wellness, access to healthcare, and health literacy. Through a lens of interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks, the benefits and challenges of arts and health programmes in urban, rural, and developing communities around the world are explored. Current research outcomes, where available, are used to support the efficacy of the models presented.