Iman A. Hakim

Global Cultural Perspectives on Art, Health, and Wellbeing

Iman A. Hakim

University of Arizona

ihakim@arizona.edu

Art holds an important place in health and wellbeing across diverse cultures around the globe. It is well known that art promotes emotional expression, spiritual connection, community bonding, and psychological healing. Its impact is recognized in traditional healing practices, modern therapeutic approaches, and communal expressions of identity. Worldwide, many cultures use art to alleviate stress and promote relaxation and many indigenous traditions incorporate art in healing rituals and spiritual practices. Art helps people maintain a sense of identity, especially during times of turmoil. Gaining knowledge of various cultures provides us with valuable perspectives on how the arts enhance both individual and community wellbeing. Creativity is a fundamental aspect of our natural development and should be integral to our healing efforts. In recent decades, the connection between art and health has attracted considerable interest, with an increasing amount of research supporting the use of creative practices in promoting mental, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing.  Globally, art therapy, community arts programs, and the incorporation of art in healthcare environments have shown their ability to change lives, especially in dealing with trauma, alleviating stress, and improving social inclusion. This presentation will examine how different cultures and regions including the Middle East, have harnessed the healing power of art. Investigating the deep intersection of art, culture, and health enriches our understanding of various traditions and potentially increase the likelihood for holistic healing practices that respect the full range of human diversity. As research in this area expands, the evidence increasingly advocates for the incorporation of art into healthcare systems, public health policies, and community initiatives, highlighting the deep relationship between creativity and the pursuit of balance, healing, and wellbeing in a globalized and interconnected world.

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Iman Hakim is a global public health expert with over 25 years of experience in public health, medicine, and international collaboration. She currently serves as the dean of the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) at the University of Arizona and the director of its Global Health Institute (GHI) where she leads multiple innovative programs in global interprofessional education and training https://ghi.arizona.edu/ . She has spearheaded the development and rollout of online training platforms and e-learning modules, making education accessible to students and healthcare professionals locally, nationally, and globally. These platforms include virtual classrooms, webinars, and discussion forums, enabling students from different countries and disciplines to engage in case discussions and team-based problem-solving exercises. She has recently established a new initiative in Creative Arts for Mental Health & Wellbeing at MEZCOPH. Dr. Hakim earned her medical and PhD degrees in Cairo, Egypt and her MPH from the University of Arizona, USA. She serves as a member of the International advisory board for “Qatar University Health “in Qatar and the College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University, UAE.