Kultur för hälsa - Statens folkhälsoinstitut

The importance of narrating, writing and reading
The narrative is an original form of culture that stimulates the imagination and creativity,
especially in children. The ability to read is important for a child's intellectual development
(42). Writing as a method is examined in qualitative health research. Reported
studies show that writing either individually or in a group can improve both physical
and mental health (43–52).
Art and images are used in the health service
Talking about and explaining artistic images is a method used as therapy for patients
and it has been seen to improve well-being and health (56, 57). It has also been used to
help care providers interpret body language better and develop more empathy (58).
Theatre and drama
Theatre and drama in school improve children's linguistic abilities (62) and can reduce
high-risk behaviour (63).
Research into culture and health
kultur för hälsa 19
Statistics on the cultural and media habits of Swedish people indicate that women are more
active culturally than men and that people with a long education are more active than those
with a short education (64). The challenge facing society is to give people with a short
education greater access and opportunities to participate more actively in cultural life.
In his closing remarks, Töres Theorell, Professor at the National Institute of
Psychosocial Medicine, reflects on the relationship between cultural activities and
health and advocates more interdisciplinary research.
Professor Theorell also stresses the fact that culture has an intrinsic value and that
all cultural experiences, are not necessarily good for health. In conclusion and based on
his experiences,he provides recommendations for researchers and also identifies some
challenges in the research area of culture and health.