I own my own business, which means I also have to own my health insurance.

Let me be honest: I can’t afford the coverage I really need. The premiums feel like a second rent payment. The deductibles are high. The copays add up. Somewhere along the way, I realized I was doing what too many people do in this country.

When I picture my dad, I don’t just see him at his day job. I see him at Xavier’s games manning the timekeeper’s clock, at the swimming pools, at summer programs—always moving, serving, and surrounded by people.

It makes me ask a question I want you to consider too: What does it take not just to live a long life, but to live a life that feels full, connected, and meaningful?

Every time redistricting hits the news, it’s usually framed as a political issue. Maps flash on the screen, lines move, commentators argue, and most people tune out. It feels distant, technical, and, to some, boring.

But here’s the thing: those “lines on a map” are more than just political theater; they help decide who lives longer, and how well.

If that sounds dramatic, stay with me because it is. Once you see how redistricting shapes health, you can’t unsee it.

Health injustice once called “the most shocking and inhuman” form of inequality. More than half a century later, that truth still shapes our lives—just under different names and systems. From access to healthcare and safe neighborhoods to the policies that determine who lives longer and healthier, the fight for justice is deeply tied to public health.

Reflecting upon Dr. Martin Luther King’s work and legacy including the Poor People’s Campaign, Dr. Michelle Easton invites readers to see voting not as politics, but as a health behavior—one that influences life expectancy, stress, and quality of life. As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, this piece challenges us to stop normalizing health inequities and to recognize civic engagement as a powerful tool for building longer, healthier lives for ourselves and our communities.

When you hear the word leader, you may picture elected officials, CEOs, or activists on the front lines. Too often, we make leadership sound like something reserved for a special few. But here’s the truth: we are all leaders. Some of us choose to develop and express our leadership skills more often, but every one of us has the capacity to lead—especially when it comes to our own lives.

In Louisiana’s last major election, voter turnout was only 58%—one of the lowest rates in the country. In smaller, local elections, turnout is even lower. On October 11, 2025, New Orleanians will again head to the polls. Some will vote early, some on Election Day—but far too many will sit this election out.

I am Dr. Michelle Easton, your Public Health Advocate and friend, and I want to remind you that politics affects how you care for yourself and your family. Let’s discuss how your participation in the political process has a very real and personal impact on your health.