The Social, Economic, and Political Determinants of Health: The Role of Political Factors on Racial Health Inequality During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only laid bare the vulnerabilities within healthcare systems worldwide but also exacerbated existing health disparities, disproportionately impacting minority populations. This thesis observes the social, economic, and political determinants of health with a specific focus on how political factors may have contributed to the health inequalities experienced by minorities during the COVID pandemic. This research investigates how different state policies with varying political ideologies, population density, geography, etc. influenced pandemic response strategies and health outcomes. This thesis also explores the role of individual partisanship in shaping adherence to public health guidelines, vaccination, and ultimately, COVID-19 mortality rates among minority communities. Moreover, this research highlights the need for information-backed, well-educated policy interventions that address the root cause of disparities, promote health equity, and ensure inclusive decision-making processes to effectively mitigate the unequal impact of future public health crises.