Health and political participation

This chapter examines the extent to which health constitutes a factor that contributes to inequalities in political participation. K. Denny and O. Doyle uncovered an interaction between poor health and dissatisfaction with the Irish health service: people with poor health were actually more likely to vote if they were dissatisfied with the health service. In terms of resources, poor health or disability expectedly have negative implications. They may hinder the acquisition of adequate skills, time and money, all of which are considered essential resources for political participation. J. Teorell and his team. identify four common components of political participation, including: action undertaken by individuals; who are ordinary citizens; with the intention to influence decisions taken by others; and related to any political outcome in society. Poor health or disability may also weaken the two components of immediate causes for participation, i.e., perceived benefits and citizen duty.