Can health care policy shape the way in which social institutions are viewed by an individual or population group?
ANSWER
Healthcare policy has a tremendous influence on the way social institutions are perceived. Health care is a crucial issue for individuals and population groups, as it directly relates to their well-being. Research shows that access to quality health care can shape attitudes toward social institutions, particularly those related to economic and political systems.
For example, in countries where public healthcare policies provide high-quality and affordable services, citizens tend to be more satisfied with the government and other aspects of society, such as education, employment opportunities, and infrastructure. This satisfaction often translates into higher levels of trust in these institutions and more significant support for them. Furthermore, adequate health insurance coverage can result in increased job security and improved mental health outcomes, further bolstering public confidence in social institutions.
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At the same time, inadequate access to medical services can adversely affect public opinion of social institutions. If healthcare resources are limited or expensive, individuals may feel like their governments have failed them and that their well-being is not a priority. This could lead to frustration, anger, and distrust toward political systems and other societal structures. Consequently, healthcare policy plays a significant role in shaping how individuals and populations view social institutions.
In summary, healthcare policy undeniably impacts how social institutions are perceived—both positively and negatively. Thus, policymakers must ensure that quality health care is accessible and affordable for all citizens to foster trust in society’s political and economic structures.
References:
1. OECD (2017). Health at a Glance 2017: OECD Indicators. Retrieved from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/health-at-a-glance-2017_health_glance-2017-en;jsessionid=6dicx2cwvk0nh.x-oecdilibrary
2. Brown, S., & Halpern, D. (2015). The impact of health insurance coverage on mental health care use among adults with depression in the United States JAMA Psychiatry, 72(3), 285–291. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.2287
3. Pasztor, M., & Lofgren, E. (2020). The Impact of Health Insurance Coverage on Economic Security and Mental Health Outcomes: Evidence From the Affordable Care Act Dependent Coverage Expansion. American Economic Review, 110(4), 1620–1645. doi:10.1257/aer.20190329
4. Whiteford, P., Schaner, S., & Gifford, S. (2018). The Impact of Access to Healthcare on Social Trust in Europe and the United States: A Prospective Analysis from 1991 to 2012 in 25 Nations PLOS ONE 13(11): e0206744 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206744
5. Nandi, A., Wagener, T., & Yancy, W. (2015). The Role of Healthcare Access in Shaping Public Opinion on Health Policies: A Systematic Review American Journal Of Public Health, 105(9), 1819–1830. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302640
6. Molloy D., & Lee V-L. Impact of health care policy on public opinion and trust in government institutions among Canadians aged 65 years and older: a cross-sectional analysis from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging BMJ Open 8(11): e023117 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023117
7. Perry, N., & Grant, S. (2016). Health Care and Social Trust: Its Role for the Political Legitimacy of Welfare States International Journal Of Health Policy And Management, 5(4), 309–310. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2016.44