RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Voting and Political Participation in the Aftermath of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0621-11716R1
DO 10.3368/jhr.0621-11716R1
A1 Mansour, Hani
A1 Reeves, James
YR 2022
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2022/05/02/jhr.0621-11716R1.abstract
AB This study examines the effect of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the public health response to it on political behaviors. Using data on elections to the U.S. House of Representatives and leveraging cross-district variation in HIV/AIDS mortality during the period 1983-1987, we find that, beginning with the early 1990s, exposure to HIV/AIDS mortality increased the vote share, voter turnout, and contributions made to Democratic candidates. The increased support for Democrats is larger in competitive districts. The results are consistent with HIV/AIDS mortality impacting cultural attitudes and leading to broader and persistent changes in voting patterns and political participation.