Measuring health outcomes of engagement in the arts: the Arts Health Strategy for the Australia Council
This presentation describes the Arts Health Strategy (plan of action) that the presenting team completed for the Australia Council in November 2006. This strategy will provide a framework for discussion of the health impacts of arts programs, improve recognition of the role of the arts in such areas as healthcare, ageing, and community services and promote the practice amongst the medical and health community professionals. This plan provides evidence of the role of arts in positive outcomes in health care, emphasises the need for research and evaluation of arts activities in health care settings and identifies new opportunities for artists and arts organisations.
Naomi Berman is a research fellow at The University of Melbourne who has a research and teaching background in sociology. She is working on the VicHealth funded Community Arts Development Scheme Evaluation project and has contributed to the OzCo Health strategy. Naomi is Associate Editor of the UNESCO E-Journal Multidisciplinary Research in the Arts and Naomi is also completing her PhD on the transformation of self through a youth development program.
Dr. Margaret Kelaher is an expert in social epidemiology, health program evaluation and health services research. Margaret is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Health Program Evaluation, and holds a NHMRC Career Development Award. She is interested in developing stronger links between evidence based priority setting and policy. She has extensive experience analysing longitudinal data and health services data in Australia and overseas. Margaret is currently working on the evaluations of supply of pharmaceuticals through S100 to remote area Aboriginal Health Services and examining non-admitted emergency admissions in emergency departments among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.