When you think about the factors that influence your health, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the medical care you receive, the food you eat, or how much exercise you get. But did you know that whether and how you participate in elections can also have a major impact on your wellbeing?
Today, we’ll discuss the concept of “social determinants of health”, explore the connections between voting and health outcomes, and share some resources to help our patients make their voices heard.
What Are the Social Determinants of Health?
Your health is influenced by much more than what happens in the doctor’s office. The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the places where you live, learn, work, and play that affect your health risks and outcomes.
Some key SDOH include:
- Economic stability, like employment and income
- Education access and quality
- Health care access and quality
- Neighborhood and built environment, like housing and transportation
- Social and community context, like social support, discrimination, and civic participation
These non-medical factors can have a huge influence on your health – research suggests they account for up to 80% of health outcomes. And there are stark inequities in SDOH across different communities that contribute to disparities in health.
The Connection Between Voting and Health
So where does voting fit in? Voting is increasingly being recognized as an important SDOH within that “social and community context” domain. Here’s how:
- Voting influences policies that shape SDOH. The officials we elect make decisions on key issues like housing, education, health care, and more. By voting, you have a say in choosing leaders who will prioritize policies that promote health.
- Voting builds power in communities. Voting is a way to voice your needs and hold elected officials accountable. High voter turnout helps ensure that policies represent the entire community.
- Voting benefits mental health. The act of voting can foster a greater sense of agency, social connection, and civic engagement – all of which are linked to better mental wellbeing.
And the research backs this up – communities with higher voter participation rates tend to have better health outcomes, from lower rates of chronic disease to higher life expectancy.
Overcoming Barriers to Voting
We know voting matters for health equity – but we also know that many in our community face barriers to casting their ballots, like:
- Lack of transportation
- Inability to take time off work
- Voter ID requirements
- Language barriers
- Disability or illness
These barriers often disproportionately affect the same groups who face inequities in health outcomes. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of your rights as a voter and the resources available to help you vote.
Voting Resources for Our Patients
At CAN, we are committed to providing our patients with the information and support they need to participate fully in our democracy. Here are a few key resources:
- Register to vote or check your registration status
- Learn about voting options in Virginia, including absentee and early voting
- Find out what’s on your ballot
- See voting accessibility resources for seniors and voters with disabilities
Your voice matters – for our democracy and for the health of our community. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned civic engagement champion, we’re here to support you in making your voice heard at the ballot box.
Voting is just one of many social and environmental factors that influence the health of our community. But as recent research makes increasingly clear, it is a vitally important one that is deeply intertwined with health equity.
To learn more about the connections between voting and health, check out the additional resources listed above. By raising awareness of these issues, we can work together as a community to ensure that everyone has a voice in the decisions that shape our collective wellbeing.
