A new study by University College London, published in the journal *Innovation in Aging*, finds that engaging with art—both creating and observing it—can slow the biological aging process. The research, published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gero, is the first to provide evidence that art engagement offers anti-aging benefits comparable to those of physical activity.
This matters because it adds a scientific dimension to the long-held belief that art is beneficial for well-being, potentially influencing public health recommendations and arts funding policies. By linking cultural participation to measurable biological outcomes, the study could encourage broader societal investment in arts access and programming as a form of preventive health care.