Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 16, 2026 Healthcare
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), with support from the European Union, is helping Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine integrate arts and culture into their health systems.
The organization notes that the region is experiencing high workloads due to a number of factors, from demographic changes and labor shortages to issues such as the effects of psychological trauma, social isolation, and long-term stress.
Integrated approaches
What is meant by integration of art and culture into the healthcare systemThis could include organising museum visits to help people overcome loneliness and support social cohesion; dance lessons for people living with Parkinson's disease; listening to music for patients with dementia; or choral singing to improve lung health.
Art and health are a developing interdisciplinary field, which can be seen as part of a broader approach to public health that goes beyond biomedical and clinical disciplines, but is also informed by scientific evidence.
"In Armenia, such approaches have significant potential to support healthy aging, mental well-being, and social inclusion, with a focus on people's needs," noted Inessa Asmangyulyan from the Armenian Ministry of Health.
Practical aspects
In late 2025, WHO/Europe held workshops to catalyze efforts in this area. Participants worked with tools for joint planning and evaluation, examined specific examples of arts-based interventions in medical and rehabilitation centers, and discussed ways to strengthen governance systems, ethical standards, and monitoring tools to sustainably expand collaboration between the health and arts sectors.
At a workshop in Yerevan, participants from Armenia and Georgia discussed the role of creative approaches in providing mental health care and psychosocial support, developing community engagement, and preventing stigma.
In Chisinau, healthcare professionals, artists, researchers, legislators, and civil society representatives from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine discussed how art can contribute to the mental well-being of patients and healthcare staff, as well as to the implementation of innovations.
Cooperation between sectors
The workshops highlighted the importance of bringing together different sectors to achieve health.
"As the scale of mental health issues increases in Ukrainian society, art is taking on an increasingly important and comprehensive role," said Veronika Sklyarova, founder of the NGO Art-Dot. "We call for further collaboration between civil society organizations and the government, artists and psychologists, making such interactions more robust and sustainable."
The ideas presented at the workshops will be translated into real projects. WHO/Europe will further support countries in testing new initiatives, developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and facilitating the exchange of experience.
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