Physicians are trained to listen for symptoms that point to deeper problems. For example, chest pain can mean heart disease, and ongoing fatigue might signal depression or another illness. I once cared for a middle-aged teacher who showed how political divisiveness can affect health. She came in with headaches and trouble sleeping. While we spoke, she shared that her symptoms got worse during heated political debates at her school and after watching the news. The stress raised her blood pressure and disrupted her daily life. This pattern is showing up more often in exam rooms across the country. Patients may not always say it directly, but it appears in their blood pressure, glucose levels, sleep habits, and in their quiet admissions of fear, anger, and hopelessness.
Why does it take tragedy to unite us?
As a nation, we often unite most strongly after tragedies like natural disasters, mass casualty events, or times of common sorrow. During these periods, political labels matter less, and we see each other as neighbors and fellow people. This raises an important question: Why does it take suffering for us to come together? To address this question, the following sections will examine why unity typically emerges in the wake of tragedy, explore parallels between medicine and society in responding to crisis, and propose practical strategies for fostering social cohesion before trauma occurs.
We see something similar in medicine. Patients often rethink their lives only after a heart attack, a cancer diagnosis, or losing someone close. Trauma can cut through distractions and show us what really matters. But just as we urge patients not to wait for disaster before making changes, our society does not have to wait for national trauma to remember our common humanity.
To proactively address the negative health impacts of political divisiveness identified above, it is essential to implement a comprehensive prevention plan that draws on preventive strategies commonly used in medicine. Just as physicians prescribe lifestyle modifications to prevent disease and promote overall health, similar interventions can foster community well-being and resilience in the face of political conflict. The following prevention plan integrates evidence-based methods designed to mitigate stress, strengthen social bonds, and enhance collective coping capacities, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of political division:
- Adopt active listening in regular exchanges to promote comprehension.
- Participate in local volunteer work to build local connections and reduce isolation.
- Limit exposure to inflammatory media and seek balanced, factual sources of information.
- Value relationships first over political differences through respectful dialogue.
- Develop mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques to manage political anxiety.
By making these civic habits part of our daily lives, we can help build a healthier, more united nation.
Political divisiveness as a health stressor
More patients now describe political stress as a constant background noise that keeps their bodies on high alert. This clinical impression is substantiated by research that documents the physiological impact of political stressors. Stanton et al. for instance, found that heart-rate variability decreases while cortisol levels increase during election cycles, demonstrating that the body responds to political stress in ways that are both measurable and medically significant. Thus, chronic stress is not only a mental health concern but also a tangible physical issue.
I once treated a patient named Mr. Smith, whose day showed how stress can lead to a health crisis. He started his morning reading news full of strong opinions and dramatic headlines, which quickly raised his blood pressure. On the metro, hearing political arguments from other riders made him more anxious, so he skipped breakfast because his chest felt tight. At work, surrounded by coworkers divided over politics, he coped by stress-eating, which added to his weight problems. The stress built up and led to an episode of angina, as his heart condition worsened after a day loaded with political anger and insults. Mr. Smith’s story is similar to what many others experience during election seasons or after watching partisan news.
The effects on mental health are just as serious. Patients talk about anxiety caused by fear of the future, depression from feeling distant from family with different views, and more substance use to escape stress. According to Timothy Fraser, social isolation is no longer limited to older adults, as younger people are also distancing themselves from relationships to avoid political disagreements. These situations are less about specific policy preferences and more about the impact of political differences on personal connections. They show the mental and emotional cost of living with constant conflict between people and in society.
Trauma in many forms
Trauma is more than merely physical injury. It can also be mental, emotional, or about losing meaning, trust, or a feeling of connectedness. Political divisiveness can make existing trauma worse, making people see others as threats instead of partners.
Just as unresolved trauma in a patient can show up as high blood pressure, chronic pain, or depression, unresolved trauma in a community may result in social division and worse public health. This comparison is helpful: Healing takes acknowledgment, empathy, and steady effort, not denial or blame. While medical examples help us understand the basics of healing society, we should remember that social healing is more complex and may need different and creative solutions. To put these ideas into practice, communities might initiate care plans by forming support groups focused on sharing personal experiences related to divisiveness and its effects. Participating in community forums or structured discussions that use evidence-based dialogue models, such as restorative circles or guided civic dialogues, can promote listening and comprehension of differing perspectives. Additionally, engaging in collaborative projects such as neighborhood improvement efforts, food banks, or intergroup educational programs can create shared purpose and foster empathy. Sustained involvement in regular civic activities, including recurring volunteer initiatives, local cultural events, or interfaith gatherings, can further reinforce social resilience and help to establish a culture of fortitude over time.
The medical profession as a model of ethical civility
Medicine holds a special moral role in society. We care for patients from all political, cultural, and economic backgrounds. In our exam rooms, civility is not just preferred, it is required. Just as doctors take the Hippocratic Oath to follow ethical standards and put patients first, perhaps we ought to consider a civic oath. For example, a civic oath might say: “I commit to encouraging respectful dialogue, pursuing mutual understanding, and acting with integrity and compassion in all my interactions.” This kind of oath could encourage us to treat everyday conversations with the same seriousness and care we use in our profession.
We can show that it is possible to hold strong beliefs while remaining respectful, curious, and humble. We can remind our communities that disagreement does not mean we have to treat others as less than human. As a simple way to practice respect, try asking yourself, “What fear might underline my opponent’s view?” the next time you disagree with someone. This question can foster more sympathy and awareness, leading to better, more respectful conversations.
Healing begins close to home
Public health does not begin solely with government. It originates in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and local private and public organizations. Children learn how to handle disagreements by observing adults. Communities become stronger through the practice of unity.
When we recognize that we share far more similarities than differences, when we see that we have more in common than we realize, such as hopes for safety, dignity, opportunity, and meaning, we begin to view each other as members of a single human community. This recognition does not eliminate our disagreements, but it allows us to see them as natural aspects of our relationships. Leaders, like patients, are not immune to the harmful effects of divisiveness; they also carry wounds, whether personal or inherited from the systems they are part of. Leaders who seek their own healing may be better prepared to cultivate unity rather than deepen divisions.
When leaders put the health and well-being of citizens above constant conflict, they help people live better lives in body, mind, and community. This kind of leadership can move our culture away from outrage and toward working together. Health care institutions can play a key role in this change. They can offer staff training to promote civility and fortitude and build partnerships that connect communities and offer support. By getting involved with their communities, health care organizations can motivate more professionals to join in and help create a culture that upholds harmony and insight.
A healthier influence on the world
America’s influence in the world goes beyond money and military strength. It also includes cultural and moral leadership. Today, we face a choice: Will we keep spreading outrage, powered by sensational media and addictive technology, or will we choose to spread sympathy and offer a model of reconciliation, civic friendship, and human flourishing? This decision determines our future.
We have a chance to inspire the world with something better: hope, cooperation, and a vision of diversity grounded in common humanity rather than mutual suspicion.
Toward life, liberty, and human flourishing
From a physician’s point of view, the way forward is clear, even if it is not easy. Healing takes intention. It means listening before reacting, caring before judging, and understanding that health, whether personal or national, is rarely restored by force or an assault on personal freedoms.
Together, we can heal and help each other pursue life, liberty, happiness, and human flourishing. We do not have to wait for tragedy. Instead, we can choose each day to treat one another with the same dignity and compassion we give every patient who comes to us for care.
Mark F. Sullivan is a family physician.
