Populism and Health Policy Dynamics During Crises

Populism and health policy dynamics during crises encompass the interplay between populist political actors and the formulation, implementation and public reception of health measures in emergency contexts. In recent decades, the rise of both left-wing and right-wing populist movements has introduced novel challenges and pathways for government responses to epidemics and pandemics. Populist leaders frequently frame public health crises as battles between the virtuous majority and untrustworthy elites or institutions, deploying rhetoric that foregrounds national sovereignty and direct appeal to ‘the people’. This can lead to the politicisation of scientific advice, fluctuating commitment to containment measures and the proliferation of alternative knowledge claims. The resultant policy landscape often oscillates between under-response, through the downplaying of risks and resistance to expert guidance, and over-simplification, through the endorsement of unproven interventions. The global significance of these dynamics is evident in varied health outcomes across regions, with practical implications for governance, international cooperation and health equity. Research in this field highlights the necessity of resilient institutions, transparent communication strategies and adaptive regulatory frameworks capable of mitigating misinformation and sustaining trust during crises.

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Populism and Health Policy Dynamics During Crises publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in populism and health policy dynamics during crises across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Populism: A political style that pits ‘the people’ against perceived elites or establishments, often through direct and emotive rhetoric and claims of exclusive representation.

Medical populism: A variant of populism in health crises whereby leaders simplify complex scientific evidence, promote alternative remedies and challenge the authority of experts to appeal to popular sentiments.

International Health Regulations (IHR): A binding legal framework administered by the World Health Organization, designed to coordinate international responses to public health emergencies and to prevent cross-border disease spread.

References

1. The Demand and Supply of Pandemic Populism: A Global Overview. Government and Opposition (2023).
2. The International Health Regulations (2005), the threat of populism and the COVID-19 pandemic. Globalization and Health (2020).
3. How does a populist government interpret and face a health crisis? Evidence from the Mexican populist response to COVID-19. Revista de Administração Pública (2021).