Research suggests that engaging in cultural activities, such as visiting museums, can have positive effects on mental and physical health, as well as social and behavioral well-being. On June 18, 2026, European institutions like the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union signed a landmark declaration titled "Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe." This declaration, the first of its kind, identifies culture as a strategic priority and highlights its impact on health, among twelve key principles. The European Commission cited a report titled "Culture for Health," which underscores the role of cultural engagement in improving overall well-being. A report by the European network Culture Next, titled "Culture as Care: Participation, Health and Collective Well-Being in European Cities," emphasizes how cultural participation can foster care and collective action. The European Commission's 2025 report, "Culture and Health – Time to Act," calls for creating a "health ecosystem" to address challenges like post-pandemic burnout, an aging population, social isolation, and growing inequalities. The concept of a health ecosystem was first introduced in a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report, which noted that artistic activities can stimulate the senses, emotions, and cognition, leading to positive health outcomes. Several pioneering programs around the world have explored the therapeutic potential of cultural experiences. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York launched the "Meet Me at MoMA" program in 2006 specifically for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2018, Nathalie Bondil, then director of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, introduced the "Museum on prescription" initiative in collaboration with doctors in French-speaking Canada. This model has since been adopted in Europe, with institutions like France’s National Heritage Institute (INP) and École du Louvre integrating it into their training programs. In Belgium, the City of Brussels and CHU Brugmann have launched a program allowing healthcare professionals to prescribe free museum visits to patients. In northern France, the Louvre-Lens museum introduced the "Louvre-Lens-Thérapie" program in 2023, offering medical prescriptions for museum visits. Since 2024, Claude-Bernard Lyon 1 University has offered a university diploma titled "Prescriptions culturelles: Santé et Arts" (Cultural Prescriptions: Arts and Health), led by Nathalie Bondil and other experts. Studies in various countries, including Canada, the UK, France, and Italy, have shown that museum visits can improve psychological well-being, reduce stress, and enhance quality of life, with effects varying by age, background, and other factors. Researchers are also examining how interactions with staff and other visitors contribute to the overall sense of well-being during museum visits.