Publications

This paper shares reflections of the organizers of the "Create Hope Mural’ campaign, an arts-based health promotion initiative developed during the early months of the pandemic in Canada. Created through a partnership between Vancouver-based health promotion network Bridge for Health and the Dundas West Open Air Public Art Museum in Toronto, the campaign sought to inspire dialogue on why hope is important for Canadians during these challenging times. Families were invited to submit artwork online that represented the concept of hope, which were subsequently published on the campaign website and social media platforms. The authors report findings that reveal the importance of decolonizing practices, centering the voices of those impacted by crisis, while being attentive to social and political contexts. These learnings can be adopted by prospective health promoters attempting to use arts-based methods to address social and health inequities.

At UCLA Medical Center, patients with serious medical complications caused by the COVID-19 virus are "singing their way to recovery" with opera lessons. Taught by members of the Los Angeles Opera and a music educator, the students are trained in opera singing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, an exercise that strengthens their breathing muscles and supports their rehabilitation. Participants describe the experience as "soulful therapy," in which singing serves as a means to celebrate how far they've come.

This paper explores a drama program that was created at a Hong Kong school after its reopening following the initial COVID-19 outbreak. The program is designed to help teachers and students reflect on how the pandemic has shaped them, and how they can increase their resilience and well-being following, and in the midst of, crisis.

This publication discusses the role of music in "mood regulation" and "social cohesion" and how it can positively impact individuals during social isolation due to the pandemic. It provides a framework to understand music's biological and social effect.

This article was constructed by music students discussing musical improvisation on a digital platform to promote meaningful connections and social cohesion amidst social isolation.

how live music art and dance are combating vaccine hesitancy how live music art and dance are combating vaccine hesitancy how live music art and dance are combating vaccine hesitancy This article highlights some of the different campaigns artists have created to promote vaccination and to discourage vaccine hesitancy. Some of these include the transformation of Salisbury Cathedral to play live music while providing a site for COVID vaccinations in Salisbury, England, the "#MaskUpNOLA" campaign in New Orleans, LA, as well as winter session events in Princeton, NJ for university students to learn about how healthcare is represented in the entertainment industry and why vaccination is important.

Effective communication of scientific information and health behavior recommendations is essential for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. This article, published in the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, explores how comics have emerged as a valuable medium for communicating COVID-19 health information to the public, citing their ability to merge text, storytelling, and visuals in a manner that is engaging and easily disseminated. Original song written, composed and sung by Kailey Kiss. Kiss is a singer-songwriter based out of Gainesville, Florida, and she is a current undergraduate public relations student at the University of Florida. Kiss hopes to one day use her songs to help others and share them with the world.

This article in The Lancet explores the impact of Theatre of War for Frontline Medical Providers, a project created in collaboration between Johns Hopkins University, the Berman Institute of Bioethics, and Theatre of War Productions which aims to address the experience of medical providers who work at the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. The initiative uses classical Greek tragedy to reflect the perspectives of healthcare workers, creating a venue to share and process the emotional toll of their work while promoting a sense of community and connection. Plays are performed via Zoom, with casts that include acclaimed actors such as Jesse Eisenberg and Frances McDormand.

Researchers from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea examined the relationship between leisure activities, psycho-social health, and engagement in behaviors that prevent COVID-19 transmission. An online survey was administered to a large sample of South Korean citizens who indicated that they did participate in leisure activities, with subsequent questions seeking to determine what types of leisure activities correlated to positive health behaviors. Notably, the findings showed that individuals who participated in cultural and arts activities were more likely to engage in preventative behaviors. Other findings explore trends related to gender, level of social engagement, and more.