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Michael Shepherd

@mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social
1.8K followers 726 following 86 posts

Assistant Professor, Political Scientist, University of Michigan School of Public Health. Rural Politics and Health Disparities. Website: www.michaeleshepherd.com Book: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/c…

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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
In our latest @jhppl.bsky.social author interview, @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social and I interviewed Michael Gusmano and Frank Thompson about their recent health reform brief, "Work Requirements and Medicaid Enrollments: Will States Stanch Erosion?" Give it a listen! soundcloud.com/user-1083235...
soundcloud.com
JHPPL Interview with Michael Gusmano and Frank Thompson, on Medicaid Work Requirements
Miranda Yaver and Michael Shepherd interview authors Michael Gusmano and Frank Thompson about their JHPPL article "Work Requirements and Medicaid Enrollments: Will States Stanch Erosion? " on states'
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Joan Alker @joanalker1.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The # of kids covered by Medicaid/CHIP since Jan 2025 continues to decline As of August 2026, the ⬇️ was 2.575 million 2026 is a more rapid ⬇️ than the already large ⬇️ in 2025 This is very worrying bcuz drops in child Medicaid enrollment usually means kid uninsured rate is ⬆️
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Whitney Zahnd @whitneyzahnd.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Very sad to share the news of the quite sudden passing of my colleague and mentor, Dr. Keith Mueller, a giant in rural health policy and an even better human being. His shoes can never be filled, but I hope we can maintain his legacy. rupri.org/2026/09/27/i...
rupri.org
In Memory of Keith Mueller - Rural Policy Research Institute
It is with profound sadness that the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) shares the news that Keith Mueller, one of the nation’s most respected and influential leaders in rural health research and...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026
Hey, ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson here. I’m taking over the account to tell you about my new story. For months, I posed as a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company's "responsible gaming" safeguards. Spoiler alert: They made me a VIP — and I lost $10K. Here's how it all went down. 🧵
Selfie taken by ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson, a man wearing a backwards baseball cap and an orange T-shirt.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Find out why here: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Find out why here: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Super interesting survey by @kff.org that is consistent with the findings of my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain. Rural voters are frustrated with healthcare and economic outcomes. But rural Republicans (the vast majority of rural people) still trust Republicans more than Dems on these issues.
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Super interesting survey by @kff.org that is consistent with the findings of my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain. Rural voters are frustrated with healthcare and economic outcomes. But rural Republicans (the vast majority of rural people) still trust Republicans more than Dems on these issues.
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Isabel M. Perera @isabelmperera.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Please submit to our special issue on the politics of mental health, for @jhppl.bsky.social ! Christopher Ojeda and I are excited to hear about your work in this area:
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Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law @jhppl.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Doing research on the politics of mental health? JHPPL has a call for proposals for a special issue on the politics of mental health, edited by Christopher Ojeda & @isabelmperera.bsky.social. Proposals due Nov. 2, not limited to topics below. Details: assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/f7ca9afb-82c...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We’re used to this “bait and switch” angle: distract with culture war and deliver harmful economic policies. I argue in Rural Pain, Republican Gain that the key is not distraction but rebranding policy areas like healthcare as part of the culture war. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Jen Silva @jensilv.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...
usatoday.com
Her postpartum depression spiraled and she couldn't get care. She's not alone
Half of U.S. women had trouble when getting health care, according to new research. One in three women said a doctor minimized or dismissed symptoms.
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Scott L Greer @scottlgreer.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Good thread based on a lot of really good research
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We’re used to this “bait and switch” angle: distract with culture war and deliver harmful economic policies. I argue in Rural Pain, Republican Gain that the key is not distraction but rebranding policy areas like healthcare as part of the culture war. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There are similar patterns when we look at health outcomes. Uninsured rates, premature deaths, and,perhaps most drastically, firearms deaths are higher in states with GOP governments. This plot from my book, Rural Pain, Republican Gain, highlights one of many outcomes of harmful GOP policies.
Line graph showing trends in firearms fatalities for states with recent Republican governments, regularly Republican governments, and reliably Democratic governments. Republican states have higher firearm fatality rates.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There are similar patterns when we look at health outcomes. Uninsured rates, premature deaths, and,perhaps most drastically, firearms deaths are higher in states with GOP governments. This plot from my book, Rural Pain, Republican Gain, highlights one of many outcomes of harmful GOP policies.
Line graph showing trends in firearms fatalities for states with recent Republican governments, regularly Republican governments, and reliably Democratic governments. Republican states have higher firearm fatality rates.
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Since 1981, Democratic presidents have overseen the creation of 3 times as many private-sector jobs as their Republican counterparts. Excluding Reagan, the net private-sector job growth of the past 3 GOP presidents is zero.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Very much enjoyed chatting with @radioagainst.bsky.social about my new book Rural Pain, Republican Gain. Available from @uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Against the Grain @radioagainst.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Why do poor rural people vote for Republicans even after they slash funding for Medicaid and close rural hospitals? @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social describes how conservative elites built support for cuts by claiming such programs only help city dwellers and people of color. kpfa.org/episode/agai...
kpfa.org
Why Do Rural Poor People Support the GOP? | KPFA
Why do poor, often sick, rural people vote for Republicans even after they slash funding for Medicaid and close rural hospitals? Michael Shepherd describes how conservative politicians and media have ...
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Very much enjoyed chatting with @radioagainst.bsky.social about my new book Rural Pain, Republican Gain. Available from @uchicagopress.bsky.social press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
#APSA2026 may be ending, but our virtual exhibit is still open! Browse our virtual exhibit and get 30% off books & free U.S. shipping using code EX58344: bit.ly/UCPEXAPSA
blue background, american political science association 2026, book cover left titled rural pain, republican gain, book cover right titled the politics of social change, get 30% off and free U.S. shippingpurple background, book cover top left titled polarization and democracy in latin american, book cover top right titled how to save a constitutional democracy, book cover bottom left titled the fog of accountability, book cover bottom right titled company townsgrey background, book cover top left titled parties on the ground, book cover top right titled reason in law, book cover bottom left titled paying for the party, book cover bottom right titled information brokerspurple background, book cover top left titled politics by formula, book cover top right titled raising the floor, book cover bottom left titled the politics of authenticity, book cover bottom right titled constitutionalism and its discontents
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Another successful APSA is in the books. It was a treat to have my Author Meets Critics panel, I did a roundtable on this administration, discussed great papers, celebrated my dear friend @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social’s great book Rural Pain, Republican Gain, and received section awards. Onward!
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The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Attending the American Political Science Association meeting this year? We'll see you there! Whether you're attending or not, you can now browse our virtual exhibit. Check out our featured books and get 30% off & free U.S. shipping with promo code EX58344 here: bit.ly/UCPEXAPSA #APSA2026
blue background, american political science association 2026, book cover left titled rural pain, republican gain, book cover right titled the politics of social change, get 30% off and free U.S. shippingpurple background, book cover top left titled polarization and democracy in latin american, book cover top right titled how to save a constitutional democracy, book cover bottom left titled the fog of accountability, book cover bottom right titled company townsgrey background, book cover top left titled parties on the ground, book cover top right titled reason in law, book cover bottom left titled paying for the party, book cover bottom right titled information brokerspurple background, book cover top left titled politics by formula, book cover top right titled raising the floor, book cover bottom left titled the politics of authenticity, book cover bottom right titled constitutionalism and its discontents
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Live near Ann Arbor? Love independent book stores? Come by Literati tonight at 6:30 where I’ll be talking about my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Coming to APSA and love @jhppl.bsky.social + cool pens??? Share a JHPPL article on here that you love to assign on your syllabi and find @sarahgollust.bsky.social , @mirandayaver.bsky.social or me at APSA for JHPPl anniversary pen!
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Center for Political Studies @umisrcps.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Do farmers change their politics when the economy turns against them? New work from Michael Shepherd and Quinn Bornstein finds: not much. Even as many farmers were hit hard under Trump, party loyalty—not the hard numbers—shapes how they judge farm policy & politics. 🌾📊 #APSA26
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Center for Political Studies @umisrcps.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New work from Michael Shepherd and Bethany Albertson finds RFK Jr.'s attack on antidepressants *doubled* the partisan gap on antidepressant access—even among people who use them. 📊 Don't miss at #APSA26.
Details for a Sept 6 APSA 2026 talk on partisan politics affecting mental health services: Bethany Albertson and Michael Shepherd
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Reposted by Michael Shepherd
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I'm excited about these @jhppl.bsky.social pens. You know you want one too! If you'll be at APSA, find @sarahgollust.bsky.social, @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social, or myself.
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Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
President Trump promised there'd be no cuts to Medicaid. Then he pushed through his One Big Beautiful Bill, which cut Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion and has already caused over 5 million Americans to lose health insurance. Read my take in @nytopinion.nytimes.com: nyti.ms/4xOJVR6
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
If you’re in the Ann Arbor area, I’ll be discussing my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain this Wednesday at 6:30pm at Literati Bookstore! Enjoy an iconic Ann Arbor establishment and learn about rural health politics while you’e there! literatibookstore.com/event/2026-0...
literatibookstore.com
Michael E. Shepherd: Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An independent bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Staff picks, curated displays, author events, book clubs, book subscriptions, and more.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Democrats often fail to make the case to rural voters for how policies like these are so harmful for them. Instead, as I show in my book, Rural Pain, Republican Gain, rural people often only hear from Republicans about why declines in access are the fault of Dems press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
If you’re in the Ann Arbor area, I’ll be discussing my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain this Wednesday at 6:30pm at Literati Bookstore! Enjoy an iconic Ann Arbor establishment and learn about rural health politics while you’e there! literatibookstore.com/event/2026-0...
literatibookstore.com
Michael E. Shepherd: Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An independent bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Staff picks, curated displays, author events, book clubs, book subscriptions, and more.
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Marcia Brown @marciabrown.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
USDA will have no researchers working on cyclospora, the foodborne parasite that sickened thousands this summer after funding cuts and the Trump administration’s sweeping reorganization of the department. New story from me and Rachel Shin: @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
politico.com
USDA cyclospora research projects shelved amid funding cuts and relocations
The shuttering of three projects is expected to hinder vital research at a time when consumers are increasingly worried about the safety of the food supply.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Republicans have been saying similar for years to push policies that hurt our health and help corporations. In Rural Pain, Republican Gain, I call this the politics of “place and prejudice.” Claim Democrats are helping “them” and neglecting “us.” It often works! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 25/08/2026
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says RFK Jr. offered federal help after two unvaccinated people died from measles, the first U.S. deaths this year. Shapiro declined, saying PA could handle it, and confronted Kennedy, telling him: “There’s real life consequences to spreading misinformation.”
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Ally Whelan @amwhelan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Among so many other great things, I will remember Dolly Parton for being a staunch advocate for vaccines, donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in April 2020, which supported the early scientific research that helped develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
@jhppl.bsky.social articles fill up my syllabi fast. One of my favorites to assign in my Public Health Advocacy class is “Building Power for Health” by @povertyscholar.bsky.social , which explores how grassroots efforts are critical in shaping Medicaid policy. read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
read.dukeupress.edu
Building Power for Health: The Grassroots Politics of Sustaining and Strengthening Medicaid | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press
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Sarah Gollust @sarahgollust.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We will re-share. Then, come find me or social media editors @mirandayaver.bsky.social or @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social at APSA and we will give you your very own JHPPL pen. And bonus: you might help a procrastinating health policy professor find the perfect paper for their syllabus!
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Sarah Gollust @sarahgollust.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
How do you get such a beautiful JHPPL pen, you wonder? Well, glad you asked. Share a paper from JHPPL that you (1) either have on a fall course syllabus or (2) would recommend someone add to a course syllabus. That’s it! Tag @jhppl.bsky.social in your post, between now and Sept 5.
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Sarah Gollust @sarahgollust.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Hi health politics nerds! Are you attending #APSA2026? Do you love @jhppl.bsky.social? Do you want to be one of the first to receive a 50th anniversary commemorative pen? If the answer is “yes” to all, follow along…
A hand holding a green pen that says Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Thanks to all who came out last night to Politics and Prose to celebrate the launch of my book Rural Pain, Republican Gain! Available now: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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Quinn Bornstein @quinn-bornstein.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Everyone go buy @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social’s new book! Great event at @politicsandprose.bsky.social with @marciabrown.bsky.social
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Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 21/08/2026
Great discussion about politics and rural health with @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social and @marciabrown.bsky.social at @politicsprose.bsky.social tonight
Marcia Brown and Michael Shepherd sit in front of a crowd in a bookstore
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Breaking the vicious cycle of the rural health spiral is vitally important for improving the health of all Americans, rural or not. I hope you’ll give the book a read. Available from @uchicagopress.bsky.social and most book sellers. If you’re in DC tonight, come by Politics and Prose to learn more!
Politics and Prose event poster for book launch event of Rural Pain, Republican Gain Thursday August 20 at 7pm.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
At the same time as these policy effects, more economically vulnerable and sicker rural Americans began to sort into the Republican Party for both health- and non-health-related reasons. The typical rural white Medicaid recipient, ACA beneficiary is a Republican who does not support these programs.
Bar chart of percent Republican identification for different health insurance groups.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
What does politics have to do with that?? Turns out a lot! During the same period, rural Americans have increasingly lived under Republican policy regimes that are harmful for rural health. The health of rural Americans in Republican states has declined considerably more than peers in other states.
Rural urban voting trends since 1980. Rural voters are much more Republican now.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Since the 1980s and especially 2000s, rural and urban life expectancy and most population health indicators have diverged. Rural Americans live just under 4 years shorter lives than non-rural Americans.
Urban-rural life expectancy plot. Between 1980 and 2020 rural-urban life expectancy diverged. Rural Americans live shorter lives.
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This looks like a fascinating and important book.
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Michael Shepherd @mshepruralpolitics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
💥 My book Rural Pain, Republican Gain is officially released today!! 💥 The book is an outgrowth of my dissertation work that I started in 2016. Indescribable feeling to be able to hold it in book form just under a decade later. press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu
Rural Pain, Republican Gain
An eye-opening look at how Republican policies have affected health outcomes in rural communities and why poor, rural white voters are turning to the Republican Party—not despite this harm, but becaus...
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