The political polarization of health outcomes in the USA

geox 44 points 24 comments May 24, 2026
www.nature.com · View on Hacker News

Discussion Highlights (6 comments)

fridder

Just reading the abstract makes me think of the phrase: Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

janalsncm

Seems like causality might be reversed here. People become more politically conservative the more jaded they become with the healthcare system.

robocat

Would need to affect reproduction for Darwinian effects to matter. Encourage deathly extreme sports for kids/teens/20s/30s? Need more hysteric ball betting. Build up the belief of rewards in afterlife - vergings towards other religions? Win by playing a long game.

Glyptodon

I suspect this is probably more complicated. My family members who live in small towns and rural areas have been having larger health issues and more trouble getting care even if they want to for years if not decades compared to my relatives who live in major urban areas, and particularly those who live in more affluent areas. Like I'd go so far as to estimate that affluent areas metro adjacent are +7 years vs. non-affluent metro areas, which are also like +7 years vs. rural/small town areas or slum/poor metro areas. But I also think the kind of care and non-care my relatives in smaller/rural areas leads to exhaustion, loss of faith in the system, and interest in alternative options. But I also don't doubt that adding the modern conservative delusions and paranoia on top of it all only worsens everything.

Arodex

Republicans like to throw around "FAFO" to justify their cruelty. Well, Republicans, FAFO.

kj4211cash

The Southern Strategy destroyed the GOP as we knew it. It is now the party of dumb. Say that and you get accused of being elitist, but it's the truth. You can win elections as the party of dumb. But, man, it's tough being dumb in the USA today. There's so much misinformation and marketing of harmful products.

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