The act of voting is fundamental to a robust democracy, and a growing body of research suggests that it may also significantly impact physical health, influencing who participates in elections. Experts in this area assert that the links between voting and health are complex, shaped by cultural, political, and various other influences that ongoing studies aim to clarify. This connection is no longer a marginal concept, as major health organizations like the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, and American College of Physicians recognize voting’s role in health and advocate for addressing voting access within healthcare discussions.
Dr. Anita Chandra, who is the vice president and director of RAND Social and Economic Well-Being, points out a growing awareness of these connections. In a 2019 report, which she co-authored, she explored how civic involvement—including voting and volunteer work—correlates with both physical and mental health as well as overall well-being. A decade ago, linking health and voting might have generated skepticism, but today, this relationship is increasingly acknowledged as vital to health outcomes.
Researchers explain this relationship as a cycle where health status can impact voting participation, which in turn influences public policies that affect community health. Dr. Chandra emphasizes that it’s not merely about ensuring those in poor health participate in elections; impactful voting can lead to better access to essential resources like parks and safe sidewalks through public policy.
A historical illustration of this connection can be seen after women gained the right to vote in the U.S. in 1920. This change resulted in public health initiatives that led to a notable decrease in child mortality by around 20,000 deaths annually, according to a study published in 2008.
Moreover, Dr. Ross Arena, head of the physical therapy department at the University of Illinois Chicago, has engaged in numerous studies that investigate the relationships between regional culture, voting patterns, and health outcomes. Recently, research published in Public Health in Practice highlighted that counties with lower voter turnout exhibited poorer health metrics that encompassed aspects like physical activity, mental well-being, and rates of smoking. This suggests a significant linkage, where deteriorating health may result in diminished voting participation.
Age, race, education level, and income all contribute to voter turnout, intercepted by variances in voting access across different states. Another recent study in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas found a positive correlation between access to voting and health outcomes measured across a dozen factors, including mortality rates and availability of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Julianna Pacheco, who teaches political science at the University of Iowa, notes that there are distinct nuances in the connection between health and voting. Individuals with physical limitations may find it challenging to access polling places, and those struggling with depression might not be inclined to focus on political matters or adequately educate themselves on electoral candidates. Conversely, Pacheco’s research indicates that early civic engagement could lead to reduced depression later in life, while late-stage depression correlates with a lower probability of voting during adulthood.
The influence of family education appears to help mitigate how poor health affects voting among young individuals. Yet, studies show that low-income individuals experience greater declines in voter turnout associated with health issues compared to their wealthier counterparts. Interestingly, the impact of health on voting participation varies by specific conditions. A 2015 analysis demonstrated that cancer sufferers participated in elections at higher rates than those without the disease, while individuals suffering from heart disease had lower voting turnout rates compared to their healthy peers.
Chandra acknowledges the potential for health conditions to create community support that can enhance political involvement. This supportive community is vital, as social isolation has long been recognized as a risk factor for various health problems. Voting fosters participation, which in turn can provide individuals a sense of connection and agency within their communities.
If individuals suffering from poor health are unable to access voting, it could result in a public policy bias that favors the interests of healthier populations. The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has made increasing voter participation an objective of its Healthy 2030 initiative, aiming to enhance public health through data-driven goals.
Despite recent national elections experiencing high voter turnout rates, reports indicate that only 66% of eligible voters participated in the 2020 presidential election, and only 46% in the 2022 midterms. Participation rates for local elections in major cities are alarmingly low, with an average turnout of just 20% for municipal elections as shown by research from Portland State University.
Health professionals, according to Dr. Arena, have a crucial role in advocating for voting rights and enhancing access to the process. Notably, a successful initiative conducted in the waiting areas of two New York City clinics registered 114 eligible individuals in just 12 weeks, illustrating the potential of healthcare settings to foster voter registration and participation.
Pacheco emphasizes that many potential voters simply need encouragement to engage in the political process. Community health centers often have the capacity to facilitate nonpartisan voter registration, despite some politicians deeming such actions as politically biased. Interestingly, research by Arena and his colleagues found that the ties between poor health and low voter turnout held consistently across both Democratic and Republican regions, suggesting that health impacts participation regardless of political affiliations.
Arena hopes to identify methods of reaching communities that may ignore public health messages due to cultural or partisan reasons. He emphasizes the importance of fostering dialogue about how political beliefs and health decisions intersect. Chandra concurs that discussions surrounding voting and health should transcend partisanship and focus on enhancing community engagement for improving overall life quality—a perspective she believes matters for fostering positive health outcomes and reducing despair-related diseases.