FY25-WAC-Impact-Report-FINAL - Report - Page 13
HOW THE ARTS CAN ...
Prevent and Manage Diseases
Heightened stress is linked to chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
But we know experiencing creative activities such as music, dance, visual arts, and storytelling can lower cortisol
levels and steady our heart rates—all key to disease prevention and management. That’s why the Woodruff Arts
Center offers immersive arts programming to people of all ages and abilities that tackles disease head-on.
Social Prescribing
Vaccine Confidence
When employees have outlets for creative
expression and relaxation, they tend to be more
motivated, focused, and resilient. This leads to fewer
sick days, higher job satisfaction, and increased productivity. In fact, many healthcare providers, workplaces, and insurance companies are teaming up to
offer social prescribing, recommending artistic and
community-based interventions alongside or in place
of pharmacological approaches. The Woodruff Arts
Center partners with Art Pharmacy to offer tickets to
our performances and productions as a supplement
to traditional medical care. A recent Art Pharmacy
study showed that participants experiencing chronic
isolation and loneliness saw a 78 percent reduction
in emergency department visits.
Arts-based programs can effectively educate
communities on health issues, making information
more accessible and engaging. In 2024, thanks to
a grant from the Department of Public Health, we
offered vaccination education and administration
opportunities before and after artistic performances
to help build vaccine confidence among vulnerable
populations.
WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER 2025 IMPACT REPORT
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