Why men’s votes are crucial for health equity and building a legacy of wellness.
When we talk about men’s health, we often focus on diet, exercise, and check-ups. But what if I told you that one of the most powerful ways to improve your health and protect your family’s future doesn’t start in a clinic—but at the ballot box?
Voting is more than a civic duty. For men—especially Black, Brown, rural, and low-income men—voting is an act of protection, a tool of advocacy, and a path to legacy. It’s how we shape the systems that determine whether our loved ones thrive or struggle. It’s how we create the kind of world where every father, brother, son, and friend has a fair chance to live a long, healthy life.
The Historical Link Between Voting and Health
Throughout U.S. history, access to the ballot box has directly influenced access to health. When marginalized communities gained voting rights, public investment in hospitals, clinics, and preventive services increased (Bailey et al., 2017). Conversely, when communities failed to turn out or were disenfranchised, vital resources were lost—or never provided in the first place.
One powerful example occurred during the 1994 U.S. midterm elections. In Louisiana, voters failed to turn out in sufficient numbers to renew a key public health tax that funded charity hospitals across the state, including New Orleans’ Charity Hospital. After the vote failed, significant budget cuts followed, leading to closures of clinics and reductions in medical services. For decades, Charity Hospital had been one of the only places where low-income, uninsured men—especially Black men—could receive care. The failure to vote had life-and-death consequences (Boulard, 1994).
Why Voting Matters for Men’s Health
Men make up about half of the population but consistently vote at lower rates than women (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). That means fewer voices influencing critical decisions about:
Public insurance programs like Medicaid
Funding for mental health and substance use treatment
Access to quality hospitals and primary care
Clean air, safe water, and healthy housing
In Missouri, Black men are nearly twice as likely to die from stroke and heart disease compared to white men (Missouri Department of Health, 2021). These statistics are not just numbers—they’re stories of real lives cut short because of preventable, treatable conditions. Voting is how we demand systems that work for us.
Building a Legacy Through Civic Action
Here’s how you can start:
Register and show up at every election—local, state, and federal.
Bring someone with you. Turn voting into a family tradition.
Teach your children. Let them see you voting and explain why it matters.
Ask candidates tough questions. Find out where they stand on health access, gun violence, food deserts, and health equity.
Men have the power to protect their communities through their vote. It’s a legacy you don’t have to wait to leave behind.
Real Consequences, Real People
In 2020, Missouri voters passed Medicaid expansion by a narrow margin. That one vote created access to life-saving health care for more than 200,000 low-income adults—including many working-class men who previously couldn’t afford preventive care. Imagine if just a fraction of eligible voters had stayed home. Imagine if your father, uncle, or neighbor couldn’t see a doctor because of it.
That’s the power—and the responsibility—of your vote.
Action Steps for Men, Families, and Communities
Faith leaders: Preach the connection between voting and health.
Barbers and mentors: Talk about ballot issues that affect your neighborhood.
Parents and partners: Make voting a family value.
Youth leaders: Encourage early registration and civic awareness.
Your Legacy Is Your Choice.
Legacy isn’t just about money or property. It’s about influence. It’s about standing up when it matters most. Every time you vote, you’re building a world your children will inherit. You’re choosing whether they will have clinics in their neighborhood, clean water in their homes, and doctors who listen.
Men, this Men’s Health Month, let your greatest flex be your civic power. Let your vote be your legacy.
References:
Bailey, S. R., O’Connell, T. S., & Ruth, B. J. (2017). Historical insights on voting rights and health equity in the U.S. American Journal of Public Health, 107(4), 546–552.
Boulard, G. (1994, November 9). Vote kills tax for charity hospitals. The Times-Picayune. https://www.nola.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health disparities among men. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/health-disparities-men/index.html
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2021). Missouri Health Equity Report.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2020. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/voting-and-registration/p20-585.html
Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.
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About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD
Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.
For more health tips follow Dr. Fredrick Echols @ Fredrick.Echols@gmail.com
Follow Dr. Echols on socials:
Facebook: @FredrickEchols
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LinkedIn: @FredrickEcholsMD ( www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-echols-m-d-5a2063225)
Contact Dr. Echols for speaking engagements and consultation opportunities: 404-386-1522
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