Peterson, Steven A. "The Health Polity: Results from a National Sample." Politics and the Life Sciences 10, 1 (August, 1991):45-56.
[Three commentaries and author response, pp. 57-68]
Abstract. Health status has been held to affect people’s political orientations and behavior. Using the 1987 National Opinion Research Center General Social Survey, this paper tests for the existence of that relationship. Results suggest that healthier people are more likely to be conservative and status quo oriented, somewhat more politicized, less alienated, and more active in politics. Results, although modest, support the thesis that health status has an effect on political orientations and behavior.