Political Participation in Presidential Election and Township Mortality in Taiwan

Objective: Civic engagement is considered important for the promotion of people’s health, and political participation is one dimension of civic engagement. This study aims to examine the association between political participation in presidential election and township mortality in Taiwan. Methods: This ecological study used township as the unit of analysis. Voter turnout and degree of candidate competition were two indicators of political participation. Data on political participation was obtained from Central Election Commission, data on population from the Taiwan-Fukien Demographic Fact Book, and data on township mortality from Ministry of Health and Welfare. There were two control variables: proportion of people receiving higher education and the amount of tax revenue. A multiple regression model was used to determine whether political participation was associated with township mortality. Result: After controlling for proportion of people receiving higher education and the amount of tax revenue. Voter turnout (β= -2.91, p=0.009) and the degree of candidate competition (β=1.51, p<0.0001) were both inversely associated with township mortality. Stratified by gender, the relation township mortality to voter turnout and degree of candidate competition are stronger in men than in women. The proportion of people receiving higher education is crucial for both political participation and township mortality. Conclusion: Political participation in presidential election is significantly associated with township mortality.