Exploring the influence of electoral political orientation on health outcomes: a scoping review

Political orientation has been linked to short-term health outcomes, yet its long-term effects remain underexplored. Given the influence of political contexts on health, understanding these associations is crucial for public health. This scoping review synthesizes the literature on how political orientation (reflected in voting patterns) relates to health indicators, vaccination behavior, and mental health outcomes. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, including peer-reviewed and grey literature. A total of 53 studies met the chosen eligibility criteria. The findings show that political orientation significantly shapes health outcomes: more conservative regions show poorer general health indicators, lower vaccination rates, and higher vaccine hesitancy. Political orientation was also associated with increased anxiety, depression, and stress. The included studies employed diverse methodologies (some of which included causal inference techniques to strengthen their analysis). Overall, the results underscore the role of political context in shaping health behaviors and outcomes, emphasizing the need for public health strategies that consider these dynamics.