Unfortunately, RFK Jr. is exactly the kind of politician who resonates with people with poor health and disabilities.

This population tends to gravitate towards anti-establishment politicians who promise a "fix."

And it's because of what Julia says. 👇
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Policy makers can engage patient advocacy groups and make it easier for people in poor health to vote.

Also, they can support health-promoting policies with universal, easily identifiable benefits.

This can create a virtuous cycle — rather than the vicious one we face.

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What can we do about it?

For one, clinicians and health systems can support affirming health care experiences, rebuild trust, and encourage their patients to civically engage.

We especially love the example of Vot-ER.

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2. Partly due to stigmatizing and demeaning experiences, people in poor health trust the health system, public institutions, and democracy less.

3. As a result, people in poor health are more likely to gravitate toward anti-establishment populist parties.

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1. People in poor health are much less likely to vote, but they engage in politics in other ways, like signing petitions and writing letters.

Patient advocacy groups are especially helpful in politically engaging this population.

We love the example of European Patients Forum.

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Trust in democratic institutions is low, and anti-democratic parties are flourishing.

There are many determinants of people's politics, but an underappreciated one is health.

After all, good health and ability allow us to work, socialize, and engage in civic activities.

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🚨 NEW REVIEW 🚨

Who participates in the democratic process? Who trusts public institutions? And who turns toward anti-democratic political movements?

In a new review for WHO, we emphasize that people's health is central to these questions.

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