Voting Matters for Public Health
Why Your Health Is a Political Issue
With today’s constant news cycle of violence and upsetting events, it can feel easier to avoid politics to protect your peace. Many people say, “I’ll just take care of me and mine.” Protecting your peace matters—but opting out of the political process is not an option.
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.
How Public Policy Shapes Our Health
Health issues extend far beyond the doctor’s office. Good health depends on:
Regular garbage pickup
Clean drinking water
Safe neighborhoods
Access to affordable food, jobs, housing, and healthcare
These conditions are shaped not only by personal choices but also by policies—and those policies are created and voted upon by officials that we elect. Here are a few examples:
Clean Water, Safe Neighborhoods, and Affordable Food
From sanitation services to food access, elected officials determine how resources are allocated. These choices ripple through every neighborhood.
Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery
As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we are reminded of how infrastructure decisions—such as drainage systems, environmental protections, and emergency response funding—impact hurricane preparation and recovery.
Schools and Youth Programs
Funding decisions at the state and local levels also determine whether young people have safe spaces—such as The Hangout NOLA, community centers, and playgrounds—to learn, play, and thrive, or whether they are left vulnerable to violence and unhealthy choices.
The Role of Elections in Health Equity
Public health is deeply tied to public policy. Elected officials decide:
How much funding goes to hospitals and clinics
Whether mental health services are prioritized
How public utilities function
What resources are available to prevent gun violence
Each of these decisions impacts generations of families in New Orleans.
Civic Engagement as Self-Care
Civic engagement is a form of self-care and community care—in other words, it’s how you take care of you and yours AND each other because we are all connected. Preparing for election season is just as critical as preparing for hurricane season: your timing matters, and you can’t afford to wait until it’s too late.
How to Prepare to Vote in New Orleans
Here’s what you can do right now:
Check your voter registration.
Know your voting precinct and polling place.
Learn about the ballot. Review candidates and issues ahead of time.
Make a plan to vote. Take advantage of early voting by mail or in person, or cast your ballot on Election Day.
👉 Visit your state’s Secretary of State website to access the election calendar, check your registration, and view your sample ballot. In Louisiana, you can go to the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections website here.
Your Vote = Your Health
The health of New Orleans depends on the power of its people. Every vote is a statement about the future we want to build—one where every resident has the chance to live a long, healthy life. This election season, remember: Your health is a political issue, but don’t let others play politics with your health. Get involved and vote—your voice matters.