Dunaway and Berge: Voting is good for your health

Voting is good for one’s health. In fact, the American Medical Association declared in 2022 that “voting is a social determinant of health,” meaning it’s 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’s incumbent upon each of us to promote this civic engagement, particularly among groups of people whose right to vote has been historically disenfranchised, and many of whom concomitantly experience worse health outcomes.

In health care, we see daily how social determinants like housing insecurity, poor education and exposure to environmental conditions affect patients’ health, and there is a growing body of evidence that shows communities that vote experience better health. A Health & 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 disempowered politically also feel disempowered in other aspects of their lives, which directly ties to poorer health outcomes.

We are fortunate that our state leaders have made Washington one of the most accessible states for voting. Yet, when it comes to equitable 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 Black eligible voters cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm elections, compared to 66 percent of eligible white voters. In the same election, the U.S. 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 engagement in voting plays a role in individual health and the health of our communities, it is important to promote civic engagement, particularly with systemically marginalized communities. Health care professionals, universities, associations, companies and government agencies each can contribute to reaching these eligible voters.

Washington’s network of community health centers, including Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Clark County, is mobilizing to support people in exercising this basic right of our democracy. Many are partnering with the national nonprofit Vot-ER in nonpartisan activities such as voter registration and election participation for their patients and health care staff.

Casting our ballots is an act of patriotism. As not-for-profit organizations dedicated to serving historically underserved and marginalized communities through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange’s public option, we believe it is especially appropriate to facilitate and advocate for all eligible people to vote in their best interest, as a matter of health.

There’s still time to register to vote. Anyone can register in person at the county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

There are diverse policy perspectives across the political spectrum that support justice, economic opportunity and better lives for our communities. What’s important is an informed and engaged electorate and the elimination of barriers to this most basic of rights: the right to vote.

Dr. Shane Dunaway is a medical director for Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Vancouver. Leanne Berge is CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington/Community Health Network of Washington, based in Seattle.