On the basis of actual data from more than 900 international publications, authors of the report submitted today in Copenhagen claim that art has a positive impact on human health throughout all life: since pre-natal development and finishing the last days of life.
So, small children to whom parents read books before going to bed sleep at night longer and better concentrate at lessons not to mention that thus the emotional connection with parents is strengthened. Occupations in theatrical circles can help youth to approach more responsibly decision-making and to protect themselves from violence. At later stages of life music can support cognitive function at people with dementia: data of researches show that singing especially promotes improvement of attention, event memory and ability to function in everyday life.
Long before the mankind learned what it is penicillin or genetics, people created music and painting,
"Long before the mankind learned what it is penicillin or genetics, people created music and painting, - Ostlin, the acting director of the European regional office of WHO reminds Pirosk. - Our need to express own hopes and fears, perception of the world around and to share it with others – it is also deep as need to satisfy hunger and thirst. Is it worth being surprised that art can well affect our health and wellbeing".
People expressed themselves in art from the very beginning of the existence. Today it becomes clear that art - and effective "medicine".
Photo of UNESCO/H. Expressed to Arango Lyudi themselves in art from the very beginning of the existence. Today it becomes clear that art - and effective "medicine".
Except preventive function, art time carries out a role of drugs and yields "clinical significant" results. "Examples which are given in this really revolutionary report of WHO show how art can promote the solution of such "artful" and difficult problems of health care as diabetes, obesity and mental disorders, - Ostlin notes Pirosk. - Authors consider health and wellbeing in wider social context and offer approaches to the solution of problems which still did not manage to be solved only by medical methods".
For example, music and own creativity help to facilitate side effects of cancer therapy, including drowsiness, lack of appetite, an asthma and nausea. At those who got to intensive care unit music and needlework reduces uneasiness, pain and reduces arterial blood pressure. And the clownery which became popular in a number of the countries helps to distract and lighten the mood not only to sick children, but also their parents. Thanks to dances, under numerous certificates, a physical activity at patients with Parkinson's disease considerably improves.
Art can promote the solution of such "artful" and difficult problems of health care as diabetes, obesity and mental disorders
The data confirming that different types of art can help to cope with the endured trauma are provided in the report to support people with neurologic frustration, including autism, a cerebral palsy and a stroke. At the end of life art can play a role of palliative support for the person and help relatives to experience his death.
Authors of a research emphasize that some types of art therapy not only yield good clinical results, but also in comparison with standard biomedical methods of treatment can be more favorable economically. Besides, they solve, not only physical, but also psychological problems and also, unlike many drugs, have no negative effects.
WHO recommends to the governments to create programs of support of health by means of art, to include health issues in organization activity and institutions which work in the sphere of art and culture and also to train art therapies of health workers.
In the report it is about five art forms, each of which includes a wide range of the directions: performing art (music, dance, singing, theater, cinema); visual art (needlework, design, painting, photo); literature (writing, reading, visit of literary festivals); participation in cultural actions (visit of the museums, galleries, concerts, theater); Internet art (animation, digital art, etc.).