---
title: Health and culture. The economic value of cultural engagement
description: Art and culture not only enrich society, but also contribute to physical and mental wellbeing, by reducing the pressure on health services.
---

[Blog | IBSA Foundation ](https://www.ibsafoundation.org/en/blog)

# [Health and culture. The economic value of cultural engagement](https://www.ibsafoundation.org/en/blog/health-culture-the-economic-value-cultural-engagement)

 Written by [Catterina Seia](https://www.ibsafoundation.org/en/blog/author/catterina-seia) | 27 Mar 2025

Art and culture not only enrich society, but also contribute to physical and mental wellbeing, by reducing the pressure on health services. A recent study has quantified the economic benefits of cultural initiatives for public health spending, highlighting the close ties between health and culture. 

**How big an economic impact does cultural engagement have on public health spending?**

The tangible impact of **art and culture on health** has the potential to **reduce pressure on health services** and improve the efficacy of public investments in health.

Recently, a report entitled [*Culture and Heritage Capital:*](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/678e2ecf432c55fe2988f615/rpt_-_Frontier_Health_and_Wellbeing_Final_Report_09_12_24_accessible_final.pdf)[* Monetising the Impact of Culture and Heritage on Health and Wellbeing*](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/678e2ecf432c55fe2988f615/rpt_-_Frontier_Health_and_Wellbeing_Final_Report_09_12_24_accessible_final.pdf) explored the links between **health and culture, as well as the resulting impact on wellbeing**, quantifying the economic benefits of cultural engagement. The research was conducted by [**Frontier Economics**](https://www.frontier-economics.com/uk/en/home/)** **in collaboration with the [**Social Biobehavioural Research Group at University College London**](https://sbbresearch.org/). It was commissioned by the United Kingdom **Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)** as part of the “Culture and Heritage Capital” (CHC) programme launched in 2021 to monetise the economic, social and cultural benefits of culture and heritage.

### **The benefits of cultural events**

Cultural activities aid **cognitive development**, help to **maintain physical functioning**, **reduce mental health problems** and generally improve **wellbeing**, working in tandem with the neurological and physiological processes set in motion by pharmacological therapy. **And the result?** Fewer people resorting to emergency services and a **greater impact on public health spending.**

The data from the research help to debunk the widely held belief that **investments in culture have no economic value**.

Professor [**Daisy Fancourt**](https://www.frontier-economics.com/uk/en/news-and-insights/news/news-article-i21105-engagement-in-culture-and-heritage-creates-8bn-in-value-per-year-for-the-uk/), head of the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, underlines that “*as a society, when we’re thinking about how to shift to preventative models of health, investing in arts and cultural training, activities and community venues should be considered a priority.”*

### **Monetising the impact of cultural activities on health and wellbeing**

The report is based on **scientific evidence recognised by the **[**World Health Organization**](https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553), which shows that **cultural engagement can help to prevent, treat, and manage physical and mental health problems.** It puts forward 13 models that investigate the impact of specific cultural activities on various groups of people.

For each model, the **economic benefits of cultural activities were calculated**, taking into account improvements in **quality of life**, **optimisation of public health spending** and **savings on health and social care costs**.

One example is the "**Arts-based museum activities and general health in older adults**” model, which looks at the impact of taking part in activities such as painting and bookbinding, during creative workshops promoted by a museum for **12 weeks**. It leads to an improvement in the quality of life for people **aged 65 and over**, as well as an **economic benefit of £1,310 per person per year**.   
If **25% of weekly museum attendees** in this target group participated in museum workshops, the benefits for UK society could add up to **£19 million a year**. The estimate takes into account the potential reduction in demand for health and social care services resulting from improved general health and well-being in people aged 65 and over.

Looking at adults aged 65 and over once again, weekly participation in a **choir for three months** has been associated with a **reduction in stress** and **improved mental health**. Based on this evidence, the "**Choirs and general health in older adults**" model estimated an economic benefit of **£553 per person per year**. For the UK population as a whole, this would mean **£170 million a year**.

### **Cultural events for every generation**

The "**Engagement with cultural venues and depression in older adults**" model shows that taking part in cultural events (such as going to the theatre, the cinema or a museum) **once or twice a month **can reduce the incidence of depression in **adults aged 50 and over**, with **increased productivity at work worth £56 per person per year**. On top of this comes an **estimated £260 million saving for society**, in terms of avoided health care costs.

As for the health of young people, the “**Art and self-esteem in children**” model assesses the impact of art activities on **children between 10 and 14 years of age**. Drawing, painting, playing or listening to music most days not only **promotes emotional development**, but according to the report **it also improves self-esteem and mental health**, with an estimated economic benefit of between £68 and £134 per person per year, and a **society-wide benefit of between £122 million and £162 million per year**.

The views expressed in the report are in keeping with another [recent study](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/embedding-a-culture-and-heritage-capital-approach) carried out as part of the DCMS CHC (Culture and Heritage Capital) programme, which was based on three core factors: **benefits to individuals**, **health and social care savings** and **productivity impacts**. The studies were cited by [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/17/consuming-arts-and-culture-is-good-for-health-and-wellbeing-research-finds), which underlined that – according to the data provided in the Frontier Economics report – **the majority of the economic impacts of culture on health come about due to people’s improved quality of life.**

### Health and culture go hand in hand

In conclusion, all of the results highlight the importance of **integrating culture in public policies as a strategic means **of:

- **Improving the health and wellbeing** of the population.
- **Creating tangible economic value**.
- **Optimising health spending.**
- **Increasing productivity in society and at work**.

While the interdependence of many factors makes matters complex, monetising these potential benefits enables **political decision-makers to take a better-informed approach to investments in culture**, bearing in mind that any cuts to funding might put public health at risk, with economic repercussions for both individuals and society as a whole.

 

       

 

###### *A cura di Catterina Seia (Presidente CCW – Cultural Welfare Centre) e Elena Rosica ( Cultural Welfare Center (CCW), Research Area)*

###### * *

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