Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
Summer 6-2-2025
Keywords
health; ethnic minorities; immigrants; far-right populism; political rhetoric
Abstract
Public health is a political issue, and the health of ethnic minorities is a key component of it. We argue that far-right populism, whether grassroots or elitist, harms the health of immigrants and minorities. Anti-minority attitudes and policies—such as health chauvinism promoted by far-right populists—along with hate rhetoric and ensuing personal and institutional discrimination create a climate of hostility that negatively affects health outcomes in underprivileged communities. We hypothesize that immigrants and ethnic minorities living in such a climate are more likely to experience health problems and underutilize healthcare. To test this, we leverage the significant variation between U.S. states in anti-minority attitudes and support for far-right populist candidates. Using data from the World Values Survey on immigrants’ and ethnic minorities’ status, self-rated health, and the number of foregone necessary doctors’ visits, we find that ethnic minorities in states with strong support for far-right populist presidential candidates and corresponding anti-minority agendas are more likely to report poor health and to forgo necessary healthcare visits.
Recommended Citation
Rosenberg, Dina, "HOW FAR-RIGHT POPULISM HARMS ETHNIC MINORITIES’ HEALTH: THE CASE OF THE UNITED STATES" (2025). Working Papers Series. 16.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/working_paper_series/16
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Included in
American Politics Commons, Health Policy Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Welfare Commons
