Art in health for young people: Reducing risks for infant mortality

Abstract

Background:

In the UK, infant mortality rates are highest among families living in the most socio-economically deprived neighbourhoods. The Midlands region is among the areas with the highest rates in the country. Key modifiable risk factors, such as teenage pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy and not breastfeeding contribute significantly to these statistics.

Objectives:

To develop artistically co-created animated videos, made by young people for their peers, that address four key health messages focused on reducing the risk of infant mortality and promoting healthier future families.

Setting:

The Midlands region of England.

Method:

Nine students were purposively selected from a school in a socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhood in the Midlands. The students interviewed five artists and selected one of them to collaborate with. Together with the chosen artist, they co-created four animated videos conveying key health messages related to reducing infant mortality. This paper shares students’ reflections on their experience, particularly their role in developing new visual content for healthier futures. The artist’s reflections, along with team feedback and discussions, are also documented.

Results:

The process was embraced by young people as part of their formal education. Students felt valued, recognised the seriousness of the risks and were motivated to actively contribute to change. The co-creation of the artwork provided a meaningful and realistic context for their engagement. Access to support during message delivery, the importance of open communication and avoiding judgement or stigma were all identified as key issues to be addressed when undertaking future work of this kind.

Conclusion:

We describe how artists, researchers and young people in schools can collaborate to artistically co-create health care messages related to infant mortality.