Democracy and Public Health

Government restrictions on NGOs hurt citizens’ health

A recent study analyzed the unintended effects of legislative restrictions on NGOs. Governments do not usually intend to restrain health-focused NGOs when they pass restrictive legislation, but the study found that legislative restrictions on NGOs are followed by a decrease in the number of active health NGOs and an increase in deaths and disabilities caused by disease. This study shows that adverse impacts of NGO restrictions are not limited to organizations that governments find threatening, and that curtailing civic space has tangible consequences for citizens’ health.

Democracy improves public health

Researchers have recently analyzed the effect of democratization and autocratization on public health. Countries that recently transitioned to democracy experienced increased life expectancy, decreased child mortality, and reduced death from non-communicable diseases relative to countries that remained autocratic. Countries that recently began autocratizing saw life expectancy at age five decrease, the universal health coverage index decrease, and out-of-pocket spending for medical services per capita increase compared to countries that did not autocratize. Democracies achieve better health outcomes by being more responsive to citizens, who desire health infrastructure and spending. These studies suggest that “democratic erosion in recent years is hindering population health gains.”

The topic of democracy and health was also covered in the November 2022 Learning Digest.

Do you have a study we should share for a future Facty Friday? Send an email to drg.el@usaid.gov!