How the arts can create healthier communities

According to thousands of studies, researchers have determined that involvement in the arts can improve public health and promote healing from illness, as well as protect against such problems as cognitive decline, heart disease, anxiety and depression. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook talks with Broadway director Lear deBessonet, the force behind Arts For EveryBody, a national public health movement whose mission is to connect more people to the arts and create healthier communities.

"CBS News Sunday Morning" features stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and Americana, and highlights unique human accomplishments and achievements. Check local listings for "CBS News Sunday Morning" broadcast times.

[christineturner]

Visit your local library! You'll be surprised to find that they often have FREE classes and storytimes that reflect the arts.

[ufcenterforartsinmedicine]

Incredible segment, CBS Sunday Morning! Thank you for lifting up this important work!

[jannichi]

Throughout civilization, since the beginning, Culture and Arts has been valued.
HIGHLY.
Keep in pulic schools PLEASE.

[jslezak]

My wife is a cancer patient and the cancer center here has a full arts therapy program where musicians and artists come to each patient and provide music or arts and crafts during treatment. It is such a benefit to the patients and brings joy to an otherwise mundane and even depressing time during treatment.

[mililaniman]

I have been performing in theater plays since 2012. I love the social connections I have through performing.

[HeyCoachBarbara]

I love the arts. I go to see a play at the Norcross theater every so often. I paint, I dance, I listen to music, and I even go to the movies by myself because it makes me feel good. So I completely understand what they’re talking about.

[HistoryNPolicy]

Pianist here. Absolutely the arts help

[CD]

This is awesome, keep up the great work to spread the value of the arts!

[dr.aniasara]

This is so very exciting! I've been putting classes together working with the sound since receiving my doctorate degree in Spiritual Science and Psychology. I know firsthand that it works for all areas of the body.

[hummersd]

deBessonet's Into the Woods at NYCC and then Broadway a few years ago is a memorable highlight. Agree, arts are important. Express yourself!

[TFNPlacesgmailcom]

A great segment on the arts. However you missed including how medical providers are finding the benefits of the arts to manage their own stress and improve health outcomes. Anschutz Medical Center in Denver is a leader in this space with tangible results.

[williamalverio]

I hope districts that have taken the arts out of school will reinstate them based off of the new research that’s come!

[amherst]

Amen -- I do art-making with people in several forms of recovery and have taught poetry with people who were incarcerated -- as they said, even if you do it 'badly' it will change your life.

[purplepumpernickel]

Art is extremely important. I draw, paint, and color in coloring books regularly to express myself, increase my empathy, sleep better, and help myself heal from traumatic experiences. I think everyone should do art because it's important to express yourself in a healthy way. Plus, artistic activities can be a lot of fun. Creativity is a big part of what makes us human!🙂🎭🎨🌈🤡❤

[rkparc]

THE ARTS

I trained to be a painter
Rickelangelo, but alas,
I never made a dime.

So, I wrote a book.
I thought it not too sloppy,
But even my best friends
Wouldn’t buy a copy.

Then I kept time
In numerous good-time bands,
But none has ever gained acclaim
Outside those one-night stands.

If I had it to do again
Would I come to my senses?
After all, I could have made more as a cowboy,
mending fences!

Would I drop the Arts in pursuit of financial gain?
Would I sell my drums
And start buying stocks
To ease my fiscal pain?

For a condo in Boca
And retirement security
Could I stop writing prose and poetry
Lest I fall into vagrant obscurity?

Hell No!
I would do it all again.
I would happily follow the Muse
Once more, round the bend.

And in the end, if I have a stone,
there to mark my spot,
On it will say,
“He may have lost but
He gained a lot!” RK Pate

[colleenross]

Dr. David L.,
I'd like to remind you that in order for one to involve themselves in their community, that first they need acceptance. That they haven't already been outcast. Down here in South Louisiana where I live, the path to inclusion is very, very narrow.
I love your piece on this story, and I find it very inspiring, however, it is a little naive. Some of us have reached out repeatedly to our communities in a desperate attempt for relief from depression and loneliness, but if they don't want you, there's no convincing them of one's worth. I just wanted to clarify that point. Happy Spring to you and everyone at CVS Sunday Morning.☀️

[rosehughes]

It’s even more important now with this shitshow at the WH

[CityLadyLA]

Take a class at the community college.

[archieizhellboye]

yeh... tell that to the people who have don't fund, invest, sponsor or support or continuously for decades cut funding or even more so take away arts and activity centers, denied ppl who asked for grants and financial support and investment for centers and programs esp for kids and who have denied even more associated with it for one reason or another... i don't mean to be a killjoy on such a positive piece BUT i needed to highlight this aspect because way too many times i've seen the lack of support esp n including by government officials voted in by the same ppl trying to start these initiatives or even companies in the same communities or who benefit from certain communities not giving back to these initiatives in any way... hopefully this will improve sincerely #BLESSINGS

[ilovephotography]

Art it's in our DNA. Located inside of the ancient caves of France proves it.