Voter suppression identified as structural determinant of health

A new study published in JAMA Health Forum argues that voter suppression acts as a structural determinant of health, impacting community well-being in a manner similar to historical redlining.

UC Davis psychiatrist Ruth Shim suggests that the policies and practices shaping voting access directly influence health outcomes. Shim notes that U.S. voter turnout lags behind other nations due to state-administered election rules. She specifically cites the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which led to polling place closures that reduced access for rural areas, lower-income communities, and communities of color.

Research indicates a ‘vicious cycle’ where states with lower voter turnout experience worse health outcomes, while individuals in poor health are statistically less likely to vote. Historical data supports this link; for instance, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was associated with significant reductions in Black infant deaths in Jim Crow-era states.