Study Links Arts and Cultural Activities to Slower Biological Ageing

1-Minute Brief

Researchers suggest that engaging in arts and cultural activities may offer health benefits comparable to exercise.

Key Facts

• Academics say their study provides evidence that arts and cultural engagement should be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour.
• New research finds that enjoying the arts may slow ageing.
• Experts compare the impact of reading or museum visits on ageing to that of exercise.
• The study is the first to show both participating in arts activities and attending events are linked to staying biologically younger.
• The findings were based on research from University College London (UCL).

What Happened

A new study from University College London found a link between participation in arts and cultural activities and a slower pace of biological ageing.

Why It Matters

The research suggests that arts engagement could be considered alongside traditional health-promoting behaviors, potentially broadening approaches to healthy ageing and public health recommendations.

What's Next

Further research may be conducted to explore the mechanisms behind these associations and to inform public health strategies regarding arts engagement.