Black Representation and the Political Determinants of Health

• In Event: Political Determinants of Health

Abstract

Social determinants of health have become a dominant frame for understanding racial inequities in health outcomes in the United States. Recent scholarship has further innovated on this framework by underlining that these social conditions are the endogenously determined consequences of prior (and ongoing) political choices. This innovation has been coined as "political determinants of health." We build on this concept of "political determinants of health" by exploring black members of Congress's recognition of health issues over time. Using Congressional Bills Project data we argue that black representatives' recognition of health-related issues is a relatively recent development that is closely aligned with the Democrat's broader emphasis on healthcare as a winning electoral issue. We investigate this claim by describing the patterns of black health bill sponsorship over time, distinguishing between which black MCs are most likely to recognize health issues, and highlighting the racial differences in health bill sponsorship that persist beyond partisanship and ideology.

Authors

• Matthew B. Platt, Morehouse College

• Teri F Platt, Clark Atlanta University