A new … full population study of more than three million Finns finds a deep relationship between propensity to vote and risk of dying. The study recorded the survival of 3,185,572 people from March 21, 1999 until death or December 31, 2020. This cohort consisted of 1,508,824 males and 1,676,748 females, and it underscores increasing shocking disparities in mortality rates among voters compared to non-voters.
Together, the findings paint a deeply troubling picture. In fact, men in the bottom quartile of household income had a 9–12% increased risk of death if they came from a non-voting household, relative to men in higher income quartiles. This trend highlights the tremendous power that civic engagement has to create positive health outcomes, especially in our nation’s most economically disadvantaged communities.
Researchers discovered that the relative risk of death associated with non-voting was most pronounced among men under the age of 50. This demographic was especially vulnerable—and is, in many ways—as it calls into question the civic participation of the majority and uncovers unpleasant social truths. Among people 75 to 94 years old, non-voting women had an increased risk of death. Conversely, men who elected to participate in the elections experienced improved outcomes.
The analysis drew upon 1999 national-level parliamentary election data. It deliberately excluded people who weren’t Finnish lawfully resident in mainland Finland and focused explicitly on mainland Finnish citizens aged 30+. Our largest increase in voter turnout for this age group was remarkable, with 71.5% of men aged 18-29 and 72.5% of women aged 18-29 voting. Yet the NJMHC’s inquiries found that from 1999 to 2020 over 1,053,483 people died in that span and the journey continues. Of these deaths, 95,350 resulted from external causes such as accidents and violence. The remainder — 955,723 were due to other pre-existing health issues.
One of the most shocking findings from the study was the increased risk of death among men who did not vote — a 73% increased risk of dying from any cause. Women who did not vote had a 63% higher risk. These numbers indicate a strong relationship between civic participation and health outcomes that operates beyond the level of education. It’s not exactly breaking news that voters have a much lower risk of dying than non-voters. Indeed, this disparity is even larger than the divide between those with no formal education and those with a post-secondary degree.
The data further emphasizes that public participation in democracy goes beyond the idea of civic engagement and is a microcosm of our society’s health inequities. As researchers explore these findings, they raise critical questions regarding the relationship between political engagement and individual well-being.