Marvin OnumonuA new report from the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) showed that three in four performing arts professionals face health issues that affect their careers.
Record demand for specialist health support was seen in 2025, with nearly 3,000 performers accessing services.
Over half of those supported were based outside London, reflecting a nationwide need for specialist occupational health in the creative industries.
Claire Cordeaux, CEO at BAPAM, said: “Creative careers place unique, cumulative demands on the body and mind.
“Our data shows that without access to specialist, sector-informed care, performers and professionals are at significant risk of long‑term health problems that can end careers prematurely.
“This report underscores the importance of system‑wide approaches to health in music, dance and acting — not just treatment when something goes wrong, but prevention, education and sustainable working practices.”
Cordeaux added: “It also clearly shows how valued BAPAM is by those we support, especially the free clinical consultations at the core of our work.
“It is vital that as a sector, we listen to the individuals the UK’s world-leading creative industries depend on, to ensure that vital health services are person-centred, equitable and effective.”
Dr Finola Ryan, executive medical director at BAPAM, said: “For musicians, dancers and actors, health is inseparable from artistic practice.
“Our role is to ensure that clinical standards for this population are evidence‑based, safe and informed by real‑world performance environments.
“The scale of need reflected in this report confirms performing arts medicine as a public health priority within the creative industries.”
