(C) Minnesota Reformer
This story was originally published by Minnesota Reformer and is unaltered.
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Civic engagement is a critical but often overlooked component of community well-being • Minnesota Reformer [1]
['Marta Michalska-Smith', 'Ben Ruxin', 'William G. Moseley', 'Marshall H. Tanick', 'J. Patrick Coolican', 'More From Author', 'August', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus']
Date: 2024-08-29
This August, Minnesota marks a significant milestone as Gov. Tim Walz declares it Civic Health Month, making the state the fourth to honor this crucial initiative. This designation shines a spotlight on an often overlooked aspect of our health: civic engagement.
If you’ve been in your doctor’s office recently, you might have encountered a new but profoundly impactful question: “Are you registered to vote?” It’s a question that underscores a growing recognition among health professionals, including the American Medical Association, which in 2022 officially recognized voting as a social determinant of health, that our well-being extends beyond the confines of medical treatment.
During Civic Health Month, hospitals and clinics across the country are transforming into hubs of civic engagement, with Minnesota’s leading health institutions at the forefront. Since 2022, M Health Fairview, Hennepin Health and Children’s Minnesota have begun integrating civic engagement into their care models. From hosting community voter registration drives to fostering conversations that link health with civic participation, a “civic health checkup” is becoming standard practice in health care. This work has been spearheaded by health care professional-led community organizations like Healthy Democracy Healthy People and Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity.
But why is this so crucial? Civic health is a fundamental component of overall well-being. Research shows that communities with high levels of civic engagement experience better health outcomes. When hospitals ask about voter registration, they are addressing a vital social determinant of health — our ability to influence the policies that affect our lives.
Minnesota’s move to join Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in recognizing Civic Health Month reflects a bipartisan commitment to this cause. It’s a recognition that voting and civic involvement can have a tangible impact on our health and the health of our communities.
It is little surprise to see Minnesota on the leading edge of Civic Health Month. After all, we are known for our deep-rooted sense of civic duty and we take pride in our nation-leading 80% voter participation rate in 2020.
At the same time, this high participation rate masks disparities: as of 2016, there was a 15 percentage point gap between Black and white Minnesotans’ voter participation rate. These gaps mirror Minnesota’s disparities in health outcomes, ranging from poverty to vaccine access, highlighting the important role health care professionals play in ensuring all Minnesotans have a chance to have their voices heard. Health care professionals have proven uniquely able to engage these underrepresented populations, based on a study of the 2020 election.
Additionally, Minnesota’s recent expansions in voting access, including to formerly incarcerated individuals, mean that there are many Minnesotans who have the right to vote for the first time and need information on how to participate, providing even more urgency to these efforts.
As a physician, I see firsthand the effect of civic engagement on our health through the policies that affect my patients’ ability to access care, obtain healthy food, afford their medication, and live in a clean and safe environment. Participating in civic life enhances our sense of agency and strengthens our connection to the community, both of which are essential for overall health and well-being.
Public policies influence every aspect of our existence, and our ability to shape and participate in them is crucial to both our mental and physical health, as well as the health of our communities, especially historically marginalized ones. This proclamation acknowledges the vital role civic engagement plays in creating a healthy and just society. Declaring August as Civic Health Month will promote positive health outcomes for all Minnesotans and help cultivate a more engaged and vibrant Minnesota.
As Secretary of State Steve Simon put in a press release announcing Civic Health Month, “In Minnesota, we know that healthy communities don’t happen by accident – they are created by thoughtful policies and programs led by people who consider the diversity of our great state. Through voting and civic engagement, Minnesotans make their voice heard to determine the kind of communities they want to live in now and into the future. Civic Health Month is an acknowledgement of the critical role our health care providers and advocacy organizations play in keeping our communities strong.”
So how can you participate in this Civic Health Month?
We’d suggest a straightforward approach: Get your “civic health checkup.” Ensure your voter registration is up to date and make your plan to vote in the upcoming elections by visiting MNVotes.gov.
As we celebrate Civic Health Month, it’s important to recognize that our health and democracy are deeply interconnected. Engaging in civic life is not just about fulfilling a civic duty; it’s about contributing to the collective well-being of our communities. When we vote, we take an active role in shaping the policies that impact our health, our families, and our future. This August, let’s commit to strengthening our civic health, knowing that in doing so, we are investing in the long-term health of our society.
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https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/29/civic-engagement-is-a-critical-but-often-overlooked-component-of-community-wellbeing/
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