Political outcomes and legislation have long-term impacts on population health that are often vague and complex. This is one of the reasons why many people across the nation lack access to sufficient and informative healthcare information, hindering their ability to navigate the system and obtain needed care.
In “A Vote for Health” from Milbank Quarterly, author Sandro Galea connects the seemingly abstract nature of politics to concrete health outcomes that are driven by the determinants of health.
In preparing for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election, keep in mind the following highlights from this article:
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- The concerns of public health should not be consigned to partisan lines: We must engage with politics in a bipartisan way, first evaluating how changes in legislation will affect national health
- Health itself influences political and electoral action: Research conducted after the 2016 election showed that areas of the U.S. where health outcomes were lower were more likely to have voted for President Trump compared to areas with higher health outcomes
- Health can have a particular role to play in catalyzing ideas about candidates and sifting through electoral choices: Prioritizing the health of ourselves and our community can have a unifying role in encouraging bipartisan solutions, particularly on topics such as health of younger generations and health of the planet.
Though this political election season is likely to be difficult in many communities, one strategy that may help align opinions is to recognize commonalities through “health in all policies.” Inevitably, our individual, family and community health will be impacted by the public officials we elect in the Fall. Please consider their positions on health in your voting decisions.
View or listen to the full article here, which includes additional political context and optimism in the face of a daunting election cycle.
Galea S. A Vote for Health. Milbank Quarterly Opinion. May 24, 2024.
