Improving health and well-being of performing artists

In addition to general health needs, performing artists can be affected by a number of occupational-related ailments. Common conditions include overuse injuries, nerve entrapment syndromes, focal dystonia, hearing loss, and psychiatric problems. These problems can have devastating physical, emotional, social and financial effects.

How can service organizations for professional entertainers leverage resources with arts and medical professionals to most effectively serve uninsured performing artists? Actors' Fund and MusiCares have cultivated synergistic alliances with the arts and medical community to offer their clients a broad spectrum of health services. These joint projects address the special healthcare needs of this population, lack of affordable health insurance, and delay of necessary care for those who are uninsured.

This presentation will overview the wide range of services that are offered through collaborative efforts to include a health insurance database and resource center, free-of-charge or minimal charge comprehensive primary and specialty medical care, women's health services, HIV/AIDS treatment programs, addiction treatment programs, psychiatric services and counseling, preventive screening, laboratory services, radiological services, and medications.

The experiences and challenges of the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic in New York City and the Performing Artists' Clinic of the Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles will be highlighted to demonstrate how Actors' Fund and MusiCares and collaborating individuals and organizations applied customized approaches to best suit the regional environment and resources. Further development of innovative models that link service organizations with community healthcare systems can help improve the health and well-being of performing artists and other vulnerable populations.