Political Influences on Preventive Healthcare Policies in the U.S. and Chile

As rates of chronic disease—including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer—rise worldwide, health systems are increasingly overburdened by the long-term care of individuals with preventable diseases. While there is plenty of... [ view full abstract ]

As rates of chronic disease—including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer—rise worldwide, health systems are increasingly overburdened by the long-term care of individuals with preventable diseases. While there is plenty of evidence to support the efficacy of disease prevention strategies, many health systems still focus primarily on treating disease. Addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of chronic diseases and providing regular screenings are crucial public health actions, yet they are often underfunded and underemphasized. In order to better understand how different health care systems handle disease prevention, I compare the political environments that shape health policies in the U.S. and Chile, countries with very different healthcare systems, but increasingly similar epidemiological profiles. This study uses multilevel statistical modeling to investigate how different political factors influence the use of preventive care services and public health spending at the local level. In order to place these results in their national contexts, I then compare the policies that determine access to preventive care as well as how much of a political priority politicians are willing to make these services. Although preventive care is not the most politically valuable healthcare service, it is a crucial step towards ensuring a population’s ability to avoid years of managing chronic disease.