This presentation will be showing the most recent evidence from population-based surveys on the health impacts of the arts, with a focus on the potential long-term benefits of arts engagement, who benefits most from the arts, whether the benefits can be seen across different countries, and how public health schemes such as social prescribing can connect people with poor health to the arts. The presentation will end with an overview on inequalities in participation in arts and cultural activities by identifying social, behavioural and geographical barriers that may prevent people from benefiting from these activities.