The Political Determinants of Health: Becoming a Health-Conscious Voter
By Ebony D. Johnson
Imagine waking up one morning to find your asthma inhaler costs have tripled overnight. Or picture your elderly neighbor struggling to afford her life-saving medication. Now, consider a world where your child's school lunch is packed with fresh, nutritious options, and your community has ample green spaces for exercise and relaxation.
What do these scenarios have in common? They're all potential outcomes of political decisions.
At Asé Analytics, we're committed to unraveling the complex connections between politics and health. Let's explore why your ballot carries more weight than you might think when it comes to shaping public health, and how you can become a more informed, health-conscious voter.
Understanding Political Determinants of Health
The Political Determinants of Health Model illustrates the complex interplay of factors that influence health outcomes and equity through political processes. At its core, the model shows how voting, government investment, and policy decisions are interconnected and central to shaping health determinants. These core elements are influenced by and in turn affect various factors such as civic engagement, commercial interests, national security considerations, and economic outcomes.
The model also highlights the pervasive role of discrimination at structural, institutional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal levels, which impacts multiple aspects of the political process. Advocacy is presented as a crucial response to these challenges, involving due diligence in assessing health outcomes and taking action through negotiation, introspection, and direct measures.
Ultimately, these political determinants, along with other health determinants, contribute to either equity or inequity in health outcomes. This comprehensive model underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the political landscape to effectively tackle health disparities and promote equitable health for all.
In sum, political determinants of health are the ways government decisions affect our well-being. These include:
Healthcare Policies: Laws affecting insurance coverage, drug pricing, and hospital funding.
Environmental Regulations: Rules about air quality, water safety, and toxic substances.
Social and Economic Policies: Decisions on minimum wage, housing, education, and social services.
Research Funding: Government priorities in health research.
Health in All Policies: A Comprehensive Approach
The "Health in All Policies" (HiAP) approach takes this understanding a step further. It recognizes that health is influenced by a wide range of factors beyond traditional healthcare and public health policies. HiAP advocates for considering potential health impacts in all policy decisions, across all sectors of government.
Key principles of HiAP include:
Intersectoral Collaboration: Encouraging different government departments to work together on health issues.
Health Equity: Ensuring all policies consider their impact on health disparities.
Sustainability: Focusing on long-term health impacts of policy decisions.
Community Engagement: Involving diverse stakeholders in policy development.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Using evidence to inform policy choices.
Navigating Health Policy in a Two-Party System
America's two-party dominant system presents unique challenges for implementing a comprehensive HiAP approach:
Siloed Thinking: Parties may focus on specific policy areas without considering broader health impacts.
Short-Term Focus: Electoral cycles can prioritize immediate results over long-term health outcomes.
Polarization: Health-related issues can become unnecessarily divisive, hindering collaborative approaches.
Despite these challenges, informed voters can push for more integrated, health-conscious policymaking.
Becoming a Health-Conscious Voter
Here's how you can apply HiAP thinking to your voting decisions:
Look Beyond Traditional Health Policies: Consider how candidates' positions on education, housing, or transportation might affect health.
Think Intersectorally: Look for candidates who demonstrate an ability to work across government departments and stakeholders.
Prioritize Equity: Evaluate how policies might impact different communities, especially those facing health disparities.
Consider Long-Term Impacts: Some policy decisions might not show health effects for years. Think about future generations.
Value Community Engagement: Look for candidates who prioritize involving diverse voices in policy development.
Strengthening Democracy for Better Health Outcomes
Research shows that democratic nations tend to have better population health, lower infant mortality rates, and longer life expectancies. Here's how you can engage in ways that support both democratic institutions and public health:
Stay Informed: Seek out reliable, nonpartisan sources of information about candidates, policies, and their potential health impacts.
Participate Beyond Voting: Attend town halls, participate in public comments on proposed regulations, and engage with local government on health-related issues.
Support Press Freedom: A free press is vital for holding leaders accountable and disseminating accurate health information.
Protect Voting Rights: Advocate for policies that ensure all eligible voters can easily and safely cast their ballots.
Engage in Respectful Dialogue: Have conversations with those who hold different views to understand diverse perspectives.
Support Institutions: Advocate for the independence and proper funding of institutions crucial to public health, such as the CDC, FDA, and NIH.
Run for Office or Support Candidates: Consider running for local office or supporting candidates who prioritize evidence-based health policies and strong democratic processes.
Volunteer: Get involved with nonpartisan organizations working to strengthen democratic processes and improve public health in your community.
The Power of Local Action: Where Real Change Happens
While national elections capture headlines, it's often at the local level where the most impactful changes to our daily lives and health occur. Here's why focusing on local politics is crucial for improving health outcomes:
Direct Impact on Daily Life: Local policies directly affect the environments where we live, work, and play. From zoning laws that determine access to healthy food options, to school board decisions on physical education programs, local choices shape our health landscapes.
Faster Implementation: Local governments can often act more quickly than federal bodies, allowing for rapid responses to community health needs.
Tailored Solutions: Local policymakers are better positioned to understand and address the unique health challenges of their communities.
Greater Accessibility: It's typically easier for citizens to engage with and influence local government, from attending city council meetings to running for local office.
Testing Ground for Larger Policies: Successful local health initiatives often serve as models for state or national policies.
Examples of Local Actions with Big Health Impacts:
A city council vote on bike lanes can increase physical activity and reduce air pollution.
School board decisions on nutrition standards can significantly impact childhood obesity rates.
Local housing policies can address issues of environmental justice and reduce exposure to health hazards.
City-level programs for addiction treatment and harm reduction can save lives in the opioid crisis.
How to Engage Locally for Better Health:
Attend City Council and School Board Meetings: Your voice matters in these forums where key decisions are made.
Vote in Local Elections: Turnout for local elections is often low, making your vote especially powerful.
Get to Know Your Local Officials: Build relationships with council members, mayors, and other local leaders.
Join or Form Community Health Coalitions: Collaborate with neighbors to advocate for health-promoting policies.
Participate in Community Health Assessments: Many local health departments conduct these regularly and welcome public input.
Support Local Health Initiatives: Whether it's a community garden or a new walking trail, your involvement can make a difference.
Run for Local Office: Consider becoming a decision-maker yourself on school boards, planning commissions, or city councils.
The Bigger Picture
Understanding political determinants of health and the HiAP approach isn't just about one election. It's about recognizing the interconnected systems that shape our collective well-being. By becoming more informed voters and engaged citizens, we can work towards comprehensive policies that promote healthier, more equitable communities for all.
Your Next Steps
Research candidates' positions across a wide range of policy areas, considering potential health impacts.
Engage with local leaders about implementing HiAP approaches in your community.
Advocate for health impact assessments in policy development at all levels of government.
At Asé Analytics, we're here to help organizations and communities navigate the complex landscape of health policy. Whether you're looking to understand the potential health impacts of specific policies, need help interpreting health data, or want to develop strategies for advancing health equity through an HiAP approach, we're ready to assist.
