EMHOChanges and circumstances
Loss, health difficulties, caring responsibilities and changing daily roles can add pressure. Loneliness, social isolation and age discrimination are relevant considerations.
Meaningful participation
WHO identifies social support, accessible environments and meaningful activities as elements of well-being promotion. Creative groups, education, volunteering and opportunities to meet may all have a place.
An invitation for local practice
In a future local programme, EMHO intends to consider access, affordability and voluntary participation. Older participants should be able to express their preferences and boundaries. Persistent psychological difficulties require appropriate assessment and care.
Connection, choice and access
Transport, cost, hearing, mobility, caregiving and digital exclusion can limit participation. A local programme should offer different ways to join and make intergenerational contact optional.
What longitudinal research can tell us
UCL researchers studied hobby participation among 93,263 adults aged 65 or older in sixteen countries. Associations with later well-being support further inquiry; observational evidence does not establish that an EMHO activity will prevent depression.
Explore the evidence by design
Scoping review · WHO/Europe, 2019
Maps a broad arts-and-health literature, including different designs. No universal treatment percentage can be calculated from this review.
Read the source or method ↗Observational research · UCL, 2023
Hobby participation among older adults is associated with later well-being. Selection and confounding remain possible; association does not establish an EMHO effect.
Read the source or method ↗EMHO evaluation · Proposed pilot
Specify the production, population, delivery conditions, outcomes and comparison. No independent EMHO outcome results are currently presented.
Read the source or method ↗Evidence map · study design determines the claims that can be made
Express organisational interest ↗
Prefer email, or having trouble with this form? contact@emho.org · Geneva, Switzerland
Sources & further reading
Original external sources · accessed 13 October 2026