Cultural
ePi art: A new paradigm for epidemiologic research as an art practice Hiroshi Habu* Hiroshi Habu Naoki Kondo
Epidemiologic research, central to public health, aims to enhance well-being addressing health determinants. However, its processes often prioritize linear objectives, external evaluations, and competition, overlooking the well-being of those involved. Research must transcend technical goals, aligning methods with its purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical challenges, such as a gap between evidence producers and the public, resistance to top-down policies, and insufficient cross-cultural dialogue. These challenges highlight the need for methods embracing plurality and collaboration. Art uniquely addresses these issues and reimagines epidemiologic research. Art, defined here as an unexchangeable act of mutual communication where means and ends are inseparably intertwined, emphasizes play and the value of process and relationships. Creative activities such as playing music or painting directly enrich lives and foster well-being. To explore this potential, we developed ePi Art as a life practice, a framework integrating art paradigms into epidemiologic research. The term ePi represents epidemiology and evidence. The capital P symbolizes process, play, poetry, and others. In ePi Art, participants craft themes inspired by their aspirations and use them as material for creation, and expression through their expertise or interests. These processes remain deeply tied to their aspirations. Unlike community- or arts-based research, ePi Art uniquely integrates art and research as inseparable. In its pilot phase, ePi Art brought diverse participants into collaborative sessions to explore shared themes and build relationships. The next step is to create multidimensional outputs. Mitigating biases from active participation, however, requires meticulous planning to ensure quantitative evaluation. By aligning methods with well-being, ePi Art offers a fresh perspective on epidemiologic research, integrating artistic paradigms to address challenges and foster co-creation.