Cultural Heritage and Public Health

Abstract

Aim: A growing body of scientific evidence shows the close relationship between enjoyment of culture and arts and public health and social well-being. In light of this, for years, the World Health Organization and UNESCO have been working in synergy to create programs aimed at protecting what the anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss defined as “fragile flowers of humanity”, while being extraordinarily capable of preserving identity, memory and social bonds, promote social health and consolidate social capital. Results: This work, using the Narrative review method, provides a summary of the most recent and interesting studies in this area of investigation which combines social sciences, Human sciences and medical sciences. Conclusions: Scientific evidences and reports from large international organizations show a positive relationship between enjoyment of culture, from opera to drama, from cinema to exhibitions, and public health, both in curative and preventive terms. This compels the decision-making system the need to adopt policies capable of investing in culture and art for the promotion of health.

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