Shape Your Community, Shape Your Health: Vote!

Did you know that voting is considered a social driver of health by many leading medical institutions? By participating in the electoral process, we make choices about policies related to our health: health insurance, education, clean water, childcare, green spaces, and more. 

As a grant recipient of the 2024 Vot-ER program, Zufall Health is integrating civic engagement into the health care environment ahead of the November 5 election. Vot-ER is a nonpartisan organization that empowers patients to shape health policy through voting. 

“Zufall and Vot-ER understand that voter registration and turnout, especially in local elections, directly impacts the health of our communities,” said Zufall’s VP of Community Engagement Michelle Blanchfield, MPH, whose team is leading the Vot-ER initiative. “In fact, most of our health outcomes are influenced by non-medical factors, such as access to nutritious food, affordable housing, and other policies affected by our voting choices.” 

Zufall has developed an integrated civic health campaign supported by Vot-ER. The campaign educates patients about the importance of voting using social media, print flyers in our health centers, and mock voting stations. Zufall providers will wear special Vot-ER badges to spark conversations about voting with patients. The campaign also includes surveys of Zufall staff—many of whom reflect the demographics of our patients—about their voting knowledge and policy priorities.

“Beyond our health, voting can give us a greater sense of purpose and connection to our community,” Blanchfield added. “Elections at all levels remind us that our voices matter.” 

If you are a patient, look for the Vot-ER badge worn by providers and staff at your next visit to Zufall. In addition, anyone can check their voter registration status, find polling location information, and access other election resources at vote.health/zufall.