Scottish government's 'Healthy Attendance?' report
Date uploaded: September 2, 2013
Healthy Attendance? The Impact of Cultural Engagement and Sports Participation on Health and Satisfaction with Life in Scotland
Data from the Scottish Household Survey 2011 has been used to statistically explore the relationship between taking part in cultural and sporting activities, attending cultural places and key quality of life measures in Scotland. This report was commissioned by the Scottish government and presents the findings of the analysis of this relationship.
The research found that there is consistent evidence that people who participate in culture and sport or attend cultural places or events are more likely to report that their health is good and they are satisfied with their life than those who do not participate. This finding remains true even when other factors such as age, economic status; income; area deprivation, education qualification, disability/or long standing illness and smoking are accounted for.
Its key findings included:
- Those who attended a cultural place or event in the previous 12 months were almost 60% more likely to report good health than those who did not;
- Those who participated in a creative or cultural activity in the previous 12 months were 38% more likely to report good health than those who did not;
- Those who visited a library or a museum were almost 20% more likely to report good health than those who had not;
- Those who visited a theatre were almost 25% more likely to report good health than those who did not;
- Those who participated in dance were 62% more likely to report good health than those who did not; and
- Those who read for pleasure were 33% more likely to report good health than those who did not.
In response to the report, the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: "Starting young, and being encouraged to take part in culture as a child, makes it more likely that the benefits of taking part will be experienced as an adult. That's why this government has funded activities like Bookbug, Scottish Book Trust's Early Years programme, which encourages parents and children to read together from birth, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's Astar CD, which is helping parents in Scotland to introduce their babies to the joy of music." T
