Museum Visits as a Health Prescription Initiatives in Europe

Beyond education and the preservation of cultural heritage, museums are being integrated into healthcare services for their positive effects on mental and physical health. Maria Elena Buslacchi, a social anthropologist at Aix-Marseille University, discusses initiatives for prescribed museum visits carried out by health professionals and cultural institutions across Europe.

Museums are generally known as spaces visited for education, the development of artistic appreciation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. However, research emphasizing the potential benefits of cultural activities on mental and physical health is increasing. In this context, museums are being more fully integrated into healthcare initiatives through programs such as prescribed museum visits. Maria Elena Buslacchi, a social anthropologist working at Aix-Marseille University, examines this approach implemented by health professionals and cultural institutions across Europe and beyond in an article written for The Conversation.

As part of the European Council meeting held in Brussels on June 18, 2026, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union signed a joint declaration making culture a strategic priority for the first time. Entitled "Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe," the text contains twelve core principles aimed at inspiring rather than guiding member states' cultural policies. Among these principles, the impact of culture on human health also finds a place for itself.