The intersection of dance and public well-being has emerged as a fertile ground for cultural innovation and health advocacy, revealing how embodied practices serve as both expressive art forms and transformative tools for individual and collective health. According to the Dance and Well-being report by Jordi Baltà Portolés for the European Dance Network, dance is uniquely positioned to address multidimensional health challenges due to its integration of physical movement, emotional expression, and social engagement, which activate physiological, psychological, and social responses. Empirical evidence compiled in the WHO’s 2019 scoping review affirms dance’s effectiveness across a broad spectrum: from enhancing child development and reducing obesity to managing depression and supporting individuals with neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Initiatives like Finland’s Dance Ambassadors and Italy’s Dance Well illustrate how collaborations between artists and health institutions can make cultural participation a conduit for care and empowerment. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the relevance of these practices, showcasing how online dance classes provided accessible, low-barrier engagement that promoted resilience during isolation. Notably, dance also acts as a counterbalance to social inequalities, offering marginalized groups pathways to both health and cultural rights. In policy terms, embedding dance within broader wellness strategies—via “arts on prescription” models or cultural partnerships in health care—can enhance the inclusivity and sustainability of care systems. These multifaceted impacts urge a reconceptualization of dance not merely as entertainment but as a strategic actor in health ecosystems, demanding greater recognition, funding, and structural integration in public health agendas.
