5 Key Takeaways from Spotify's Panel on Health Care

A night dedicated to art and discussion regarding the state of health care.

Streaming music service provider Spotify designated Houston as one of the locations for its touring exhibition called 'Clarify' that aimed at exploring the connection between music, art and a variety of relevant topics.

The topic for this stop in the tour was health care, a significant conversation for the city.  That's because Houston's health care industry could eclipse the energy industry by possibly becoming the largest employment sector in the coming years, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

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Clarify's colorful aesthetics were the background for the evening that included discussions led by New York based artist Hisham Akira Bharoocha, science and music writer Rob Mitchum and two other guest speakers.

The evening dived into topics like the intersection between healthcare and art, between autism and the hurdles facing people of color, between the cost-effectiveness of issues plaguing health insurance and between the over-consumption of prescription drugs. 

The M Report decided to provide you with 5 Key Takeaways from the discussion which are in the form of questions. Why did we do that? Great question! We wanted to invite you, the reader, into the discussion by allowing you to formulate your own conclusions in hopes that it sparks discussion among you and your peers.

1) Autism in African-American males - How do we get the word out there that there is an alternative method of therapy through art?

2) Hospitals slashing budgets - How challenging is it to incorporate art and music therapy and healthcare into one setting?

3) Alternatives to prescription drug options - How can we make organizations like the American Art Therapy Association more known in the community?

4) Without policy makers making mental illness awareness a priority, how do we counter such resistance?

5) How can folks not involved in the health care industry help? 

After the discussion, audience members had a chance to talk one-on-one with panelists for more in-depth conversations. A Spotify event would not have been complete without music. Local DJ Dayta provided the soundtrack as ideas flowed and business cards were exchanged throughout the evening.

Pictured L to R: Creative artist Hisham Akira Bharoocha, Missy Enaje and local artist Matt Manalo.

After the discussion, the audience interacted with panelists.

The backdrop next to pieces of art themselves, attendees of the event.

Dabbing with local artist Matt Manalo who helped create the mural backdrop.

Candid photos to highlight the night.

Colorful conversations and insights were just one part of the 'Clarify' event.