About Civic Health Month

As frequent and often trusted touchpoints for community members, healthcare institutions have a unique role to play in contributing to civic health.

Civic health describes the current capacity of a community to address issues that impact the well-being of its members.

While a variety of different metrics are used to assess overall civic health, two that are especially relevant in the healthcare setting are voter registration and electoral participation rates. By checking in on these civic vital signs when talking to their colleagues and patients, healthcare providers can help promote better civic health

Young girl wearing protective mask uses smartphone in medical clinic

Improving civic health by increasing the number of engaged voters expands representation in shaping the policies that affect our health.

Therefore, empowering community members to register to vote and participate in elections is a critical action healthcare institutions and providers can take to improve not only community-level civic health, but also physical and mental health at the individual level.