The role of local radio in promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing

To identify and critique literature on the links between public service local radio promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing in order to better understand the potential for public health agendas. This communication draws on preliminary learning from Up for Arts (UfA), a partnership initiative between BBC local radio and the UK charity Voluntary Arts. As part of the development of a logic model for the national roll-out of UfA, a scoping review of literature was undertaken. Eight search engines were searched systematically using four main search terms, 'older people', 'participatory arts', 'mass media' and 'public health'. Journals and websites were also opportunistically searched for outlying material. The inclusion criteria were qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies and literature reviews published in English, between 2009 and 2018, wherein public service local radio was involved in promoting arts and crafts activities in local communities. Both formal activities, such as singing in a choir, and informal activities, such as a home-based knitting circle, were included. Art therapy, music therapy and other clinical interventions were excluded. Of 708 papers, articles and reports identified through title, 37 were retained for primary screening. None met the criteria for inclusion. However, results on the individual search topics indicate that improved public health outcomes might result by including the promotion of creative engagement for healthy ageing. Public Service Local Radio partnership initiatives, such as UfA, could have a role in supporting the development of creative engagement as a positive healthy ageing activity. This may be of interest and relevance to policymakers seeking novel ways to address health behaviours among people approaching old age. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2021 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.]