Journal Article

Health Effects of Dramatic Societal Events — Ramifications of the Recent Presidential Election

Williams, David R, Medlock, Morgan M

2017

Overview

Events linked to the recent presidential campaign and election have given rise to fear and anxiety in many Americans. Research suggests that these events can have negative health effects on vulnerable groups. What are the implications for health care providers? A small but growing body of evidence suggests that election campaigns can have both positive and negative effects on health. Campaigns that give voice to the disenfranchised have been shown to have positive but short-term effects on health. Such associations have been observed among black South Africans at the time of Nelson Mandela’s 1994 election, among black Americans during Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, and among Hispanic and black Americans when Barack Obama was nominated for President in 2008. 1 Thus, increases in psychological well-being, pride, and hope for the future are likely to be evident among Donald Trump supporters. At . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Adult / Anxiety / Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology / Fear / Fear & phobias / Health Personnel / Health Status / Heart Diseases - history / Heart Diseases - psychology / History, 19th Century / History, 20th Century / History, 21st Century / Hostility / Humans / Minority Groups - psychology / Personal health / Physician's Role / Political campaigns / Politics / Prejudice - history / Prejudice - psychology / Presidential elections / Racism / Racism - psychology / Role / Social Behavior / Social conditions & trends / Trump, Donald J / United States