News coverage of the 2024 election has largely focused on political divides, but a study from New York University highlights a lesser-known impact of polarization: health risks. Political divides don’t just disrupt the passing of health-promoting laws; they also influence personal health choices, like getting a flu shot, and spread distrust in health advice, making it easier for misinformation to take hold.
“Compared to other wealthy countries, the US faces a major health gap, and polarization is making it worse,” the researchers say. The study, reviewing over 100 research papers, suggests strategies to reduce polarization’s impact on health.
Trust is key
“Building trust is essential,” the authors argue. “Public health agencies should work alongside trusted community voices, addressing questions and listening to concerns rather than dismissing them.” As people increasingly turn to popular figures instead of doctors for health advice, connecting with these influential voices could improve public health.
By analyzing public views over four decades, the study shows partisan hostility has grown. By 2020, Americans were more likely to say they “hate” the other party than “love” their own—a change from the 1980s when party loyalty was stronger. The study also finds that people at the political extremes—either left or right—often have worse health, as distrust in medical experts, participation in healthy habits, and preventive actions like vaccination decline with polarization.
For example, partisan identities can distort health choices. Republicans, influenced by opposition to the Affordable Care Act, have been less likely to enroll in marketplace insurance, leading to higher sick days, health premiums, and even death rates. State-level polarization has widened life expectancy gaps too; people in states with progressive social policies—higher taxes on cigarettes, better Medicaid coverage, stronger economic support—tend to live longer than those in more conservative states. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, as skepticism grew, distancing and vaccination rates among Republicans and Democrats diverged significantly, despite growing evidence of the virus’s risks.
Widespread harm
This trend isn’t limited to the US: in 23 European countries, polarization accounted for nearly 40% of differences in vaccination rates. But another study of 67 countries found that polarization, not political ideology, was the greater health risk.
“Though polarization can worsen health outcomes, it’s not inevitable,” the authors explain. Canada, for example, was also politically polarized at the start of the pandemic, but Canadian leaders took a less divisive approach than in the US, experiencing lower rates of illness and death as a result.
To counter these challenges, the researchers propose specific strategies:
- Highlight shared identities between public health officials and communities.
- Share data showing compliance with health guidelines rather than focusing on those who don’t follow them.
- Use trusted local leaders—such as religious or military figures—to reinforce health messages.
- Combat misinformation with fact checks, preemptive strategies, and other proven techniques.
“Polarization is a global concern, increasingly impacting public health worldwide,” the authors conclude, calling for more research on how collaborations between healthcare professionals and social scientists can reduce these effects.
