Citation

Dill LJ. Am. J. Public Health 2012; 102(7): e6; author reply e6-7.

Affiliation

Satcher Health Leadership Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2012.300785

PMID

22594717

Abstract

I read with enthusiasm and curiosity Cannuscio et al.'s commentary on Philadelphia youths' use of art in communicating about housing insecurity.(1) Young people represented their personal stories of housing insecurity and homelessness in artistic form to bring attention to their plight. For example, they turned a known crack house into an art house, covered gang graffiti with murals, and cultivated community buy-in to clean up a distressed block. Previous public health reviews of arts-based research highlight the positive health effects of the arts when coping with physical and mental health concerns.(2) I am pleased that Cannuscio et al. brought attention to the use of arts-based research around pressing social issues like neighborhood blight and housing insecurity, which ultimately impact health. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 17, 2012: e1. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300785).

Language: en