Health and Political Behavior

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

There is a growing recognition of multiple links between health and politics. Poor health can be a source of political inequality. From the point of view of inclusive democracy, any kind of health-related obstacle to political engagement is problematic, not only for those suffering from poor health, but also for the political system. Paying attention to health biases in the political process can bring us one step closer to the ideals of an inclusive democracy.



The proposed panel will address some of the key challenges in the field. These include 1) theory formation and, more specifically, the need to develop a fuller understanding of the causal mechanisms and to identify potential confounding variables that may lead to faulty inferences, as well as theorizing the effects of different types of illness; 2) operationalization and especially the distinction between subjective and objective indicators of health status; 3) reverse causation/endogeneity issues with the direction of causality between health and socioeconomic status being especially problematic; 4) context and how relationships between health and political behavior may vary depending on the type of health care system and the nature of the welfare state; 5) interdisciplinarity and the need to move beyond political science and establish collaborations with health scientists, sociologists, health economists, psychologists, and demographers. Finally, the panel is intended to serve as a catalyst for further research by identifying novel aspects of political behavior that may be influenced by health status (such as policy responsiveness, diffuse and specific support, civic duty, political efficacy).

Sub Unit

• Division 36: Elections and Voting Behavior

Cosponsor

• Division 48: Health Politics & Health Policy

Individual Presentations

• Personal Experience and Voter Perceptions of Candidates with Disabilities - Stefanie Reher, University of Strathclyde

• Depression and Political Alienation - Claudia Landwehr, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; Christopher Ojeda, University of California, Merced

Chair

• Elisabeth L. Gidengil

Discussant

• Jake Haselswerdt University of Missouri