Dunaway and Berge: Voting is good for your health

Voting is good for one’s health. In fact, the American Medical Association stated in 2022 that “voting is a social determinant of health,” meaning it is a non-medical factor that affects a person’s health outcomes, just as other economic, environmental, and social conditions do. With the election just days away, it is incumbent on each of us to promote this civic engagement, especially among groups of people who have been historically disenfranchised, and many of whom are simultaneously experiencing worse outcomes in health matter.

In health care, we see daily how social determinants such as housing insecurity, poor education, and exposure to environmental conditions affect patients’ health, and there is a growing body of evidence that communities that vote experience better health . A Health and Democracy Index looks at 12 indicators of public health and shows that states with more inclusive voting policies and higher levels of civic engagement are healthier. One theory for this correlation is that those who feel politically disempowered also feel disempowered in other aspects of their lives, which is directly linked to poorer health outcomes.

We are fortunate that our state leaders have made Washington one of the most accessible states to vote. However, when it comes to fair participation in elections, significant gaps remain. The Kaiser Family Foundation shows that in Washington, only 46 percent of Hispanic, 39 percent of Asian and 32 percent of eligible black voters cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm elections, compared to 66 percent of eligible white voters. In the same election, the US Census shows that nationally, 33 percent of people in households with an annual income of $20,000 voted, compared to 67 percent of people in households with an income of $100,000 or more.

Because voting engagement plays a role in individual health and the health of our communities, it is important to promote civic engagement, especially in systemically marginalized communities. Healthcare professionals, universities, associations, companies and government agencies can each contribute to reaching these eligible voters.