Health, financial means and cultural participation in Flanders: dissecting complex interaction patterns for nine forms of cultural participation

This article delves into the relationship between socio-economic status, health, and cultural participation, underscoring the disparities in access to cultural activities. It builds upon existing research to explore how health–alongside socio-economic differences–serves as a factor influencing disparities in cultural participation. The study relies on data from the latest Participation Survey in Flanders (N = 510), examining the association between socio-economic status and health on one side, and participation in nine diverse forms of cultural activities on the other. We find that both socio-economic status and health significantly affect cultural engagement, with individuals with weaker socio-economic backgrounds or those with health issues participating less frequently. The analysis further identifies an interesting moderating pattern, suggesting that health issues particularly deter individuals in weaker socio-economic positions, thus exacerbating the barriers to cultural participation. This finding highlights the need for policies that address multiple barriers simultaneously to enhance cultural accessibility and inclusivity.