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WHEREAS, arts in health, healing, and wellness are the integration of any art form into a wide variety of healthcare and community settings for therapeutic, educational and expressive purposes and has been proven to benefit patients, their families and their caregivers; and
WHEREAS, arts in health, healing, and wellness continue to be a growing policy imperative and national need because the arts’ benefits for health and well-being are experienced at all stages of life and on multiple levels; and
WHEREAS, research shows that from early childhood through adolescence and youth, arts education can help students better cope with their feelings, bounce back from adversity, and show tolerance and compassion for others; and
WHEREAS, various studies of older adults connect arts participation to positive health outcomes such as reduced rates of cognitive decline and improved mood, communications and flexibility among patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders; and
WHEREAS, arts and health programs that include creative arts therapies - such as art therapy, music therapy, and dance/movement therapy - help to address specific physical and mental health conditions, and enhance the quality of life for patients and their caregivers; and
WHEREAS, research confirms that combining the arts with healthcare enhances coping, thereby reducing a patient’s need for hospital care, pain medication, and unnecessary extra costs; additionally, the arts reduce patients’ levels of depression and situational anxiety, contribute to patient satisfaction and improve the medical providers’ recruitment and retention rates; and
WHEREAS, participation in the arts is recognized globally as a significant resource for promoting mental health and well-being by reducing feelings and experiences of social isolation and loneliness, addressing symptoms of stress, trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies should reimburse for arts programs prescribed by Qualified Healthcare Providers; and
WHEREAS, this proclamation acknowledges that for the preservation of public peace, property, health and safety, the role of artists, arts organizations, art therapists, and arts for health initiatives are essential in providing benefits to the health and well-being of people; and
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of Pittsburgh does hereby affirm the essential role of arts for health initiatives in improving health and well-being and other life-long benefits.