Daisy Fancourt's 'Art Cure' Examines Arts' Health Impacts, From Depression to Longevity

Daisy Fancourt's book 'Art Cure' presents scientific evidence that arts engagement significantly improves both mental and physical health. The professor of psychobiology and epidemiology argues arts activities can prevent suicides, help stop epidemics, and increase life expectancy. Her research details how artistic involvement reduces depression incidence, serves as therapeutic intervention for trauma survivors, enhances neuroplasticity, restores function after brain damage, delays neurodegenerative disease onset, and manages pain and stress. Fancourt cites studies showing culturally engaged individuals are nearly twice as likely to consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables. She references the television drama 'East Los High' (2013–2017), created to modify sexual-health behaviors among Latino teens, as an example of arts influencing healthy behaviors. The book acknowledges arts provide greater sense of control and agency through cultural participation. Published by Cornerstone Press in hardcover for £22, the work appears in the March 2026 issue of ArtReview. Fancourt's analysis extends beyond individual physiological benefits to social implications, though she maintains arts' health impacts operate independently from class considerations.