Public health in US midterm elections

The US midterm elections on 8 November gave the public a say not only on candidates for both houses of government but state measures put up for popular vote. This election cycle came just after the first national data emerged showing how reversing Roe v Wade has affected abortions.1 Accordingly, abortion was a stated priority for Americans—with only jobs and the economy rated higher—and motivated people’s decision to vote as well as how they voted, including in pivotal states.2

Conservative candidates across the country felt compelled to soften or conceal previous anti-abortion messages.3 In all five states where abortion measures were on the ballot, voters protected access: California, Michigan, and Vermont added provisions into their constitutions that explicitly protect abortion; Kentucky rejected an anti-abortion measure; and Montana rejected a referendum that medical professionals stated was clinically irrelevant, potentially harmful, and designed to stigmatise abortion.45

Other public health and health related measures on the ballot included one in Oregon aimed at increasing firearm safety and another to establish healthcare as a right …