Conservatives are dying at higher rates than liberals. A new study points to mistrust in medicine

Conservatives are experiencing higher mortality rates than liberals in the United States, a trend that has become evident since 2010, according to a study published in Nature. This health gap, which was not present in 2010, began to appear in biomarker measures by 2016 and manifested in deaths from conditions like heart disease, cancer, and stroke by 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, the mortality rate from internal causes was 1.34% for "very conservative" respondents, compared to 0.2% for "very liberal" respondents. The study's authors, including coauthor Elizabeth Elder, assert that this widening divide is not attributable to factors such as COVID-19, demographics, geography, or age. Instead, they propose that a significant decline in trust towards medical professionals and the healthcare system among conservatives is the primary driver. This erosion of trust, which was exacerbated by debates surrounding masks and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, now extends to other health behaviors, such as adhering to medication for chronic conditions or seeking medical attention for symptoms like chest pain. Elder noted that the disparities in trust and willingness to consult doctors were consistent across individuals with and without chronic health conditions, suggesting that while mistrust may not immediately impact younger, healthier individuals, it poses significant risks for older populations or those managing long-term illnesses.