Play and playfulness for public health and wellbeing

Description

The role of play in human and animal development is well established, and its educational and therapeutic value is widely supported in the literature. This innovative book extends the play debate by assembling and examining the many pieces of the play puzzle from the perspective of public health. It tackles the dual aspects of art and science which inform both play theory and public health policy, and advocates for a ‘playful’ pursuit of public health, through the integration of evidence from parallel scientific and creative endeavors. Drawing on international research evidence, the book addresses some of the major public health concerns of the 21st century – obesity, inactivity, loneliness and mental health – advocating for creative solutions to social disparities in health and wellbeing. From attachment at the start of life to detachment at life’s ending, in the home and in the workplace, and across virtual and physical environments, play is presented as vital to the creation of a new ‘culture of health’. This book represents a valuable resource for students, academics, practitioners and policy-makers across a range of fields of interest including play, health, the creative arts and digital and environmental design. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of illustrations Foreword Acknowledgements List of contributors Introduction References 1. Improving the public’s health through playful endeavors Introduction Defining public health Defining play Free to play The historical evolution of play as a means of social engagement Linking play to public health The science of public health The art of public health Conclusion References 2. Playing for a healthy brain Introduction Setting the scene Evolution of the playful brain Play, playfulness and the brain The adolescent brain The adult brain Play, the brain and public health References 3. The science of public health Introduction Background Epidemiology Illustrative case studies Conclusion References 4. The art of public health and the wisdom of play: Participation in the creative arts as a route to health and wellbeing Introduction Health, autonomy and self-esteem Rudolf Steiner and creative endeavor as a route to wellness Play as an agent of creative engagement Case-study: a playful odyssey Sharing the creative process Art as installation Art as meaningful experience Conclusion References 5. Playing together: The art and the science of relationships Introduction Contextualizing ecological approaches Conclusion References 6. Play, attachment and the empathy–equity connection Introduction Health equity as a human right From attachment to empathy Play, happiness and health Attachment and empathy at the root of resilience Conclusion References 7. Finding playfulness in the everyday: An antidote to the ‘saturation’ of modern family life Introduction Families saturated by choice Shared obliviousness Health as a social movement Family cohesion, wellbeing and play Getting physical Please do play at the table! Cultivating the family garden Conclusion References 8. The playful pursuit of child public health Introduction Exploring child and adolescent health and development Promotion – oral health and hygiene Prevention – respiratory health and hand hygiene Protection – Sun safe Holistic health and wellbeing – Scouting Conclusion References 9. Play, disability and public health Introduction Defining ‘disability’ Society’s perception of disability Advocacy and action Equality and non-discrimination – Article 5 (UNCRPD) Awareness raising – Article 8 (UNCRPD) Accessibility – Article 9 (UNCRPD) Habilitation and rehabilitation – Article 26 (UNCRPD) Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport – Article 30 (UNCRPD) Conclusion References 10. A playful working life and beyond Introduction Conceptualizing good work and play Play within the organizational context Role cultures Club (also known as power) cultures Task cultures People cultures Preparing for retirement and beyond Conclusion References 11. Playing in a digital world Introduction Defining digital public health Playing with public health Sharing evidence among public health professionals Pokémon GO – a global public health phenomenon Playful engagement with accident prevention Conclusion References 12. A place for play: Creating playful environments for health and wellbeing Introduction Contextualizing the playful environment Playful settings The ‘playscape’ Going green – exploring the natural environment Green city: healthy city Exploring the built environment The playful city Conclusion References 13. Playful policy Introduction Background Leisure Integrating playful endeavors into public health policy Health protection – health and safety Health improvement – social prescribing Prevention of ill health – loneliness Healthy life expectancy and communities Wider determinants of health and inequality Conclusion References 14. Playful endings: Making meaning at the end of life Introduction Play as authenticity Re-engaging societal participation at the end of life Playing with death The funeral as play The playful memorial Conclusion References Index