Association between political ideology and health in Europe

Eur J Public Health. 2009 Oct;19(5):455-7. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckp077. Epub 2009 Jun 17.

Abstract

Studies have largely examined the association between political ideology and health at the aggregate/ecological level. Using individual-level data from 29 European countries, we investigated whether self-reports of political ideology and health are associated. In adjusted models, we found an inverse association between political ideology and self-rated poor health; for a unit increase in the political ideology scale (towards right) the odds ratio (OR) for reporting poor health decreased (OR 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.96). Although political ideology per se is unlikely to have a causal link to health, it could be a marker for health-promoting latent attitudes, values and beliefs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Politics*
  • Socioeconomic Factors